Gezicht op de Mozes en Aäronstraat te Amsterdam met de Nieuwe Kerk c. 1886 - 1891

George Hendrik Breitner created this sketch of the Mozes en Aäronstraat in Amsterdam with the Nieuwe Kerk, using graphite on paper. The rapid strokes capture the raw energy of urban life. Notice how the composition is built on a series of horizontal and diagonal lines that suggest depth and movement, yet the lack of detail disrupts any sense of traditional perspective. Breitner’s sketch can be viewed through the lens of structuralism, where the underlying framework of lines and shapes creates its own symbolic order. The marks function almost like a code, reflecting how modern life fragments our perceptions. He is not just representing a street scene but deconstructing it. The ambiguity inherent in Breitner's sketch suggests a break from fixed, singular meanings. It invites us to explore the interplay between representation and abstraction, challenging us to find order in the chaos.