Koopvrouw bij haar kar op het Rokin te Amsterdam c. 1900 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made this charcoal drawing of a market woman on the Rokin in Amsterdam. His quick sketch gives us an insight into the working-class life of the city at the turn of the century. Breitner was fascinated by the everyday hustle and bustle of Amsterdam. He saw the beauty in ordinary scenes that other artists overlooked. He captured the energy of the city with bold lines and a sense of immediacy. It is important to note that art institutions, such as the Amsterdam Academy, still favored more traditional historical or landscape painting. Breitner's focus on modern urban life was thus something of a statement. To fully understand Breitner's art, we can look at sociological studies of the period and compare his images with contemporary photographs. Doing so helps us understand the changing social dynamics of the time. Breitner's drawing prompts us to think about the role of art in depicting the lives of ordinary people and in challenging the established norms of the art world.