Gezicht op de bouw van het postkantoor aan de Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal te Amsterdam 1895 - 1898

Editor: We’re looking at "View of the Construction of the Post Office on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal in Amsterdam" a pencil drawing by George Hendrik Breitner, created sometime between 1895 and 1898. It's currently held in the Rijksmuseum. It's incredibly raw and sketchy – it feels more like a collection of fleeting impressions than a finished drawing. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, absolutely! Breitner’s sketches always feel so wonderfully immediate, like catching a glimpse through his eyes. Look at the almost violent energy of the lines. He's not just representing the construction; he's embodying the chaos and the rapid change, isn't he? It is so intuitive; it reflects Breitner's creative persona perfectly. Editor: It definitely captures a sense of urgency. The lines are so quick, almost frantic. It is exciting and dizzying! Curator: Exactly! And think about what he chooses to focus on – not the grandeur of the finished building, but the gritty, messy process of its creation. It is very ‘anti-establishment’ for the time. How does that speak to you? Editor: I see what you mean. It's like he’s celebrating the everyday reality, the labor, rather than the polished facade. Do you think it would have been a commentary on the rapid industrialization? Curator: Possibly! More a capturing of a fleeting moment though - one moment that appealed to his need for a rapid reflection in art. I also wonder if he paused and thought "Hmmmm.....'View of the Construction' - what a cool title?! Editor: I had not looked at it from the ‘fleeting moment’ aspect… it certainly feels much less “political statement” now and much more “that caught my eye, better put pencil to paper right now!” Thanks! Curator: It just showcases the feeling when something captivates us; we can only try and contain it with the media we know best.