Studieblad met mannen 1886 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of men using pencil. Breitner lived and worked in the Netherlands during a time of rapid social change, when increased urbanisation led artists to depict everyday life, the working classes and the city. Breitner’s sketchbooks provide insight into his artistic process. He would create numerous sketches before settling on the composition for a painting. It is a glimpse into how artists like Breitner approached their subjects, and how the city and its inhabitants became a source of inspiration. The Rijksmuseum archive provides a wealth of information, which is essential to art historians as we piece together the social context of artworks. Studying Breitner's sketchbooks and paintings helps us to see how art played a role in reflecting and shaping perceptions of society during a time of great change.