Gezicht in Amsterdam met arbeiders 1910

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of Amsterdam with charcoal or graphite in a sketchbook. I can imagine Breitner outside in the city; the workers were likely going about their business. There are these quick, confident strokes that give a sense of the buildings, the scaffolding, and maybe even the movement of people. It’s pretty minimal, you know? The lines are raw and immediate. It is not a polished painting; it’s more like a fleeting glimpse. I wonder if he was thinking about the social changes happening in Amsterdam at the time? Maybe he wanted to capture the energy of the city. I am interested in sketches. They reveal the artist’s thinking, their first impressions. It's like peeking behind the curtain. Breitner's work reminds me that art isn't always about perfection; it's about capturing a moment, a feeling, or an idea.