Staande vrouw met de armen over elkaar 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of a standing woman with arms crossed in the late 19th or early 20th century. Breitner was known for his depictions of working-class life in Amsterdam, and this sketch provides insight into his approach to representing ordinary people. The quick, informal style suggests that it was made from life. Breitner was associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, which sought to capture fleeting moments and everyday scenes. The woman's pose and clothing suggest she is a working-class woman, possibly a maid or shop assistant. During this time, class distinctions were visible in dress and demeanor. Breitner's focus on such subjects challenged the art world's traditional focus on the wealthy. Historical research, including photographs and social surveys, can tell us more about the lives of working-class women in Amsterdam at that time. Art like this reminds us that its meaning and significance are always tied to the social and institutional context in which it was made and viewed.