Bebouwing c. 1880 - 1906

This is an untitled sketch by George Hendrik Breitner, now held at the Rijksmuseum. Notice how Breitner uses minimal lines to evoke a complex scene. The composition teeters between representation and abstraction, challenging our perception. The stark lines, seemingly random, begin to suggest architectural forms and possibly scaffolding. Breitner reduces urban construction to its most basic geometric components, questioning the boundaries of what constitutes a recognizable image. This breakdown of form invites us to reconsider how we perceive space and structure. The sketch challenges fixed meanings, engaging with new ways of thinking about representation. The stark lines function as a cultural discourse, inviting us to interpret and reinterpret the urban landscape.