Annotaties 1886 - 1903

This is a page of annotations by George Hendrik Breitner, likely made with pencil, now held at the Rijksmuseum. Breitner was working in Amsterdam in the late 19th and early 20th century, a time of great social and economic change. He was known for capturing the energy of modern urban life. This page of Annotaties gives us an insight into the artist's process; the random notes, sketches, and calculations that laid the groundwork for his finished artworks. These are the practical considerations of a working artist; records of transactions, addresses and reminders. It serves as a private language between the artist and himself. Breitner's work, though celebrated, sometimes faced criticism from conservative elements within the art establishment who favored more traditional and idealized depictions. The Rijksmuseum played a crucial role in legitimizing Breitner’s art by collecting and exhibiting his work. The social historian can learn much from these annotations, delving into archival records and correspondence to reconstruct the world in which Breitner lived and worked.