Gezicht op de Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal te Amsterdam, ter hoogte van de Gravenstraat 1912

George Hendrik Breitner created this sketch of the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal in Amsterdam with pen in graphite. Breitner lived and worked in Amsterdam during a time of rapid social and economic change; from the 1870s to the turn of the century, the city was transforming from a trade center to a modern metropolis. Breitner, known for his impressionistic depictions of city life, captured the essence of Amsterdam's streets and its inhabitants, often focusing on the working class. This sketch, though simple, captures the urban environment. The loose lines and unfinished quality of the sketch reflect the fleeting moments of everyday life, mirroring the transient nature of the city itself. Breitner once said, "Painting is feeling." In this sketch, the raw and unrefined lines convey a sense of immediacy and intimacy. Breitner invites us to consider the emotional and experiential dimensions of urban life, prompting us to reflect on the stories embedded within the city's architecture.