Annotaties 1893

These Annotations were made by George Hendrik Breitner, in the Netherlands, but the specific date is unknown. This page from one of Breitner's sketchbooks takes us behind the scenes of the artistic process, showing the artist's immediate thoughts. Breitner was known for his unflinching depictions of working-class life in Amsterdam. His art challenged the dominant, idealized representations of Dutch society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this period, the Netherlands was undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization, leading to significant social changes. Breitner's sketchbooks, like this one, offer valuable insights into his creative process. They act as primary source documents that allow historians to understand better the social conditions that shaped artistic production. By studying such materials, we can explore the artist's personal reflections and gain a deeper understanding of the artwork in its social and institutional context.