Hoofd van een soldaat en twee vlaggen 1887 - 1891

George Hendrik Breitner made this graphite sketch of a soldier's head and two flags, but when exactly remains a mystery. Breitner was known for his interest in capturing the everyday life of Amsterdam, and the military was certainly a part of that. Looking at the image, we might consider what the flags represent, who the soldier might be, and what social role the military played in the Netherlands during Breitner's lifetime. The late 19th century was a time of relative peace in the Netherlands, but also of growing social unrest and the rise of socialist movements. Did Breitner intend to make a comment on these social changes? The Rijksmuseum's archives, along with historical newspapers and political pamphlets from the period, could help us better understand the context in which this sketch was made, allowing us to interpret its meaning more fully. After all, art can be a reflection of the society in which it was created.