Studie, mogelijk van een paard voor een gebouw 1883

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, possibly of a horse in front of a building, in the late 19th or early 20th century with graphite on paper. Breitner was known for his depictions of working-class life in Amsterdam, and this sketch may have been a preliminary study for a larger painting or print. The sketch gives us insight into the everyday life of Amsterdam at the time, with horses being a common mode of transportation and labor. Breitner’s sketch, like much of his work, is characterized by its unvarnished realism and its attention to the gritty details of urban life. Breitner's association with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement reflects a shift in artistic focus towards capturing the immediate, sensory experiences of modern life. To fully understand this sketch, we would need to investigate the social and economic conditions of Amsterdam during Breitner's time. By examining photographs, newspapers, and other historical documents, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the historical context in which this artwork was created.