Meubelonderdelen c. 1886 - 1923

This pencil drawing titled "Meubelonderdelen" or "Parts of Furniture," was made by George Hendrik Breitner sometime in his career, and now resides in the Rijksmuseum. Breitner was a Dutch painter known for his depictions of Amsterdam city life and the working class. Though this is a sketch of furniture parts, we can see his artistic interest in everyday life and the spaces people inhabit. Made on a simple piece of paper, the sketch gives us an insight into Breitner's creative process. As a leading figure of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, he captured fleeting moments and ordinary subjects, elevating them through his artistic skill. To fully understand Breitner's work, one must delve into the cultural and artistic context of the Netherlands at the time. Examining exhibition records, art criticism, and social histories can help us understand the significance of his art and its reflection of the world around him.