Zeilschepen op het water 1880 - 1882

"Zeilschepen op het water" is a pencil sketch by Dutch painter George Hendrik Breitner, created between 1880 and 1882. The artwork, currently housed at the Rijksmuseum, depicts a series of sailboats, captured in quick, gestural lines. The simple composition, featuring a vertical arrangement of sailing vessels, focuses on the essential forms and movements of the boats. This sketch exemplifies Breitner's interest in capturing the energy and dynamism of everyday life in his native Amsterdam. Breitner was a keen observer of urban scenes, and his sketches often reflected his fascination with the changing landscape of the city.