Gouvernementspakhuizen aan de Brouwersgracht in Amsterdam c. 1890 - 1910

George Hendrik Breitner made this photograph of the Government Warehouses on the Brouwersgracht in Amsterdam. It is a scene of labor, the figures on the boat seem to be in the middle of a job. At the turn of the century, Breitner was well-known for his photos of Amsterdam city life, often capturing working-class subjects. In a city dominated by mercantile exchange, Breitner was interested in the everyday life of the working people who kept the city functioning. This photograph depicts the commercial activity of the canal, the warehouses looming in the background. This image is typical of Breitner’s desire to capture the fleeting moments of modern urban life, reflecting Amsterdam's booming economy and the labor required to sustain it. Breitner’s use of photography allowed him to document urban life with a sense of immediacy. Through careful research into sources from the period, such as newspapers, archives and other historical documents, we are able to piece together a deeper understanding of Breitner’s position as a social critic.