Annotaties c. 1900 - 1901

This page of annotations was made by George Hendrik Breitner in the Netherlands, probably sometime between 1880 and 1920. It is a glimpse into the artist’s working methods. We can see from the mathematical calculations, the notes about framing and supports, and the diagrammatic sketch, that Breitner was a methodical and detail-oriented artist. Breitner belonged to a generation of European artists that was deeply affected by the rise of industrial capitalism. Many artists became interested in documenting the lives of ordinary people, and the look and feel of rapidly changing cities. Breitner was known for his depictions of working-class neighborhoods in Amsterdam. We can imagine him using this notebook while out in the city, collecting data for later use in the studio. Careful research into the archives of museums and other collections can help us to understand how artists like Breitner operated within a complex network of institutions, markets, and social relations.