Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This is a page from George Hendrik Breitner's sketchbook, a simple notebook filled with annotations. The Dutch artist, who lived from 1857 to 1923, used such books to jot down ideas, addresses, and records of his encounters with the world. It may seem like a simple scrap, but these annotations offer a window into the networks and print culture of the late 19th century. Breitner has recorded an issue of 'The Graphic', a prominent illustrated newspaper published in London. The magazine played an important role in shaping public opinion through images and reports on current events. Breitner's notation of the date, April 15, 1893, along with an address, suggests his engagement with international media and cultural exchange. Such archival documents can provide valuable insights into the artist's working methods and his relationship to the wider world. By consulting periodicals, correspondence, and other sources, we can reconstruct the social and institutional contexts that shaped Breitner's artistic production.
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