Zittende figuur c. 1895 - 1898

"Zittende Figuur" is a charcoal drawing by George Hendrik Breitner. Breitner, who lived through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was a flâneur, wandering the streets of Amsterdam and capturing everyday life. His work often focused on the working class, a subject rarely seen in art at the time. Breitner's 'Zittende Figuur', or 'Sitting Figure', is possibly a working-class woman caught in a moment of introspection. Her posture suggests vulnerability, perhaps reflecting the hardships faced by women in a patriarchal society. Breitner was part of a movement interested in representing people and moments from everyday life. His sketches invite us to really consider the lives of those around us. Breitner once said, "I see beauty in the ordinary." He was trying to capture something real, and in this sketch, he gives us an intimate glimpse into the life of someone often overlooked, encouraging us to think about the untold stories within our own communities.