Twee paarden met hoofdstel 1893

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of two horses with a headstall. Breitner, working in the late 19th and early 20th century, lived during a time of rapid urbanization and social change in the Netherlands, which strongly influenced his artistic focus. Breitner developed a style rooted in realism, and the city of Amsterdam was his main subject. However, Breitner also depicted horses frequently, often in scenes that reflect the animal's working-class existence. We see them here with bridles, ready to work. It brings to mind questions of labor, class and the role of animals in urban society. The sketch feels immediate and raw, capturing a fleeting moment. Breitner once said he aimed to depict "the appearance of a moment". This sketch gives us insight into his method of quickly capturing observations, while exploring the dynamics of urban life and labor.