Ingang van de Paleisstraat te Amsterdam, gezien vanaf het Singel c. 1886 - 1891

George Hendrik Breitner made this pencil drawing titled 'Entrance of the Paleisstraat in Amsterdam, Seen from the Singel', sometime during his career from 1880 to 1923. Breitner was deeply invested in portraying the Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam, during a time of rapid urban and social change. Breitner, known for his affiliation with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, had a keen interest in capturing the daily life of the working class. This sketch, while seemingly a simple street view, can be seen as a reflection of the artist's engagement with his surroundings. It evokes a sense of the city's evolving identity. Unlike traditional landscape paintings that idealized nature, Breitner focused on the gritty realities of urban existence. Breitner once said, “I see nothing fantastic or romantic in the streets. I love the common, ordinary street life.” This work offers an intimate look at a moment frozen in time, inviting us to reflect on the historical and social forces that have shaped our environments.