Twee staande meiden tegenover elkaar 1889 - 1897

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of two young women, with charcoal on paper. Breitner lived in Amsterdam at a time when the city was facing rapid urban expansion. Breitner, known for his images of working-class life, here depicts two young women in a simple, direct manner. The loose lines and unfinished quality of the sketch suggest a fleeting moment captured. The women, likely working girls or maids, are depicted without romanticism or idealization, typical of Breitner's commitment to realism. Instead of developing traditional representations, Breitner opts for a more modern and honest portrayal, reflective of the changing social dynamics of the time. The intimate scale of the sketch invites a personal connection, offering a glimpse into the lives of these women and the atmosphere of a city undergoing transformation.