Gezicht op de Wagenstraat, op de hoek van de Brouwersgracht in Amsterdam 1886 - 1910

George Hendrik Breitner made this photograph of the Wagenstraat in Amsterdam using a process that was still relatively new at the time. This image is a silver gelatin print, meaning it was created by exposing light-sensitive paper to a negative and then developing it in a chemical solution. What sets this image apart from a painting is the directness afforded by the photographic process. The rough, uneven surface of the street, the worn brick of the buildings, and the ordinary figures walking by are all rendered with stark realism. The photograph captures a moment in time, a slice of everyday life in Amsterdam. Breitner’s choice of photography as a medium reflects a desire to engage with the modern world. Unlike painting, which often idealized its subjects, photography offered a way to capture reality in all its gritty detail. It allowed Breitner to explore themes of labor, urbanization, and the changing social landscape of the late 19th century. The photograph's stark realism also prompts us to consider labor involved in building and maintaining the urban environment. By focusing on the materials and processes behind this image, we can gain a deeper understanding of its cultural significance.