Stadsgezicht met molens 1880 - 1882

This is George Hendrik Breitner’s sketch, "Stadsgezicht met molens," or "Cityscape with windmills." Breitner lived and worked in Amsterdam during a time of rapid urbanization and social change. His art captures the spirit of the working class and the gritty realities of city life. Breitner, who was known for his realistic and sometimes melancholic portrayals, reflects the transient nature of urban existence. The quick lines and unfinished quality capture a sense of immediacy, as if the scene were jotted down in a fleeting moment. The windmills are a tangible link to the past and also function as a reminder of the relentless march of modernity. Consider the environmental and social implications, what is lost and what is gained during modernization? This sketch resonates because it reminds us to consider our ever-changing cultural landscape.