Figuren bij een aangespannen paard, mogelijk op de Dam in Amsterdam c. 1890 - 1900

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, "Figures by a Harnessed Horse, possibly on the Dam in Amsterdam," employing charcoal on paper. Breitner was known for capturing the dynamism of city life, particularly the working class in Amsterdam. This sketch offers a glimpse into the late 19th-century Dutch society. The Dam Square, likely the setting, was not just a geographical center but also a social stage where class distinctions played out visibly. Here we have the figures, perhaps waiting for transport, juxtaposed against the backdrop of what would have been a bustling urban environment. Breitner's choice of subject matter and the medium itself—a quick, accessible sketch—speaks to his interest in the everyday experiences of ordinary people. Breitner once said he aimed to paint "the people as they are," and this sketch seems to echo that sentiment. The rough strokes and unfinished quality mirror the raw, unpolished reality of urban life. It invites us to consider the lives of those often overlooked and the silent stories embedded in public spaces.