Studie c. 1886s

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch called ‘Studie’. Breitner was a painter of city life in Amsterdam, and he was particularly drawn to working-class women. His work coincided with a time of rapid social change, influenced by industrialization and urbanization, with many people moving to cities for work. Breitner was interested in capturing the lives of ordinary people, and he often depicted women in their daily routines: working, walking in the streets, or resting. The women he depicted were often anonymous, reflecting the anonymity of urban life, but in his sketch you sense a person, the simple lines suggesting an individual. Breitner never romanticized poverty but sought to capture the dignity and strength of the working class during a period of social transformation. He did not shy away from depicting the hardships faced by the working class, particularly women, and was interested in the psychology of people. This work offers a glimpse into their lives with empathy and respect.