Studieblad, onder andere met figuren 1884 - 1886

George Hendrik Breitner made this study sheet with figures, held at the Rijksmuseum. Breitner lived and worked in Amsterdam during a period of rapid urbanization and social change. He was known for his unflinching depictions of working-class life, and street scenes. Here, the rapid sketches capture figures in motion, perhaps glimpsed moments from the streets of Amsterdam. Breitner was interested in photography and its influence can be seen in his work. The fleeting, fragmented quality of the figures reflects his desire to capture the immediacy of modern life. It moves away from traditional, idealized representations of the human form, to reflect the gritty realities of urban existence. Breitner, like many of his contemporaries, was grappling with how to represent a rapidly changing world. Consider how this study reflects the artist's attempt to engage with the social and emotional landscape of his time. It serves as a reminder of the power of art to reflect and shape our understanding of society.