Gezicht op huizen 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of houses with pencil on paper, held at the Rijksmuseum. Notice how the drawing is structured around a series of lines which establish a spatial framework with a somewhat unstable perspective. The lines are not just descriptive; they are constructive elements, which offer a glimpse into the artist's process of dissecting the visual scene into its most fundamental forms. Breitner's seemingly casual approach destabilizes traditional notions of architectural representation. It moves away from precise detail and towards an interpretation of urban space, using the semiotic language of lines to suggest depth and volume. The buildings are not presented as solid, immutable structures but as fleeting impressions. The sketch embodies the tension between representation and abstraction, mirroring broader debates about the nature of perception and representation. This challenges us to reconsider how we perceive and understand the urban environment.