Studieblad 1912 - 1919

This is George Hendrik Breitner’s Studieblad, a page from one of his sketchbooks. Breitner, who lived from 1857 to 1923, was a Dutch painter and photographer known for his depictions of urban life in Amsterdam. Breitner was deeply interested in capturing the everyday experiences of ordinary people. His art provides insight into the social fabric of the Netherlands during a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization. Breitner said “I am not a painter for people who want a pretty picture...I want someone to see and feel what I saw and felt." In his sketchbooks, like the one we see here, Breitner made quick observations of street scenes. We can see how he captured fleeting moments and the raw energy of city life. The sketches may depict laborers, market vendors, or passersby. Breitner was concerned with representing the lives of those often overlooked in traditional art. His images are fragments of life, glimpses into the realities of a changing society. These sketches remind us of the importance of documenting the stories of all people and preserving the richness of everyday life.