Landschap met water 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, titled 'Landschap met water,' which translates to 'Landscape with Water,' using graphite on paper. Breitner lived and worked in Amsterdam during a time of rapid urbanization and industrial change. While his paintings often capture the energy of city life, this sketch offers a quieter moment, perhaps a respite from the bustling streets. Breitner was known for his interest in capturing everyday life and the working class. Here we might consider how access to nature and leisure was often dictated by social class during this period. The sketch itself feels immediate and intimate. You can almost feel the breeze and hear the water. It invites us to consider our own relationship to the natural world. How do we find moments of peace and reflection amidst the demands of modern life? Breitner's sketch encourages us to slow down, observe, and appreciate the simple beauty of a landscape.