Landschap 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner created this charcoal drawing entitled 'Landschap' during the late 19th or early 20th century. Breitner was known for his urban scenes of Amsterdam and for being a significant figure in the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. This sketch offers a glimpse into Breitner's process of observing and capturing the world around him. During this period, many artists were turning away from academic traditions and focusing on depicting everyday life and landscapes. There's an immediacy here; Breitner's sketch suggests a desire to capture the fleeting essence of a scene, rather than a highly detailed rendering. Breitner was very interested in photography and he used it to document city life. He said he wanted to “capture a moment.” Considering his interest in photography, this drawing might be seen as a parallel form of quick notation, where charcoal stands in for the camera lens. Although seemingly simple, this landscape invites us to consider the artist's gaze and the act of observation itself. It reflects the societal shift towards valuing the transient moments and the beauty found in ordinary scenes.