Figuren bij aangespannen paarden, mogelijk trampaarden 1886 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made this pencil drawing, titled 'Figures with horses', no date, which is now held at the Rijksmuseum. Breitner was known for capturing the energy of everyday life in Amsterdam, particularly scenes of the working class. In this sketch, we see figures alongside what are possibly tram horses. Horses in the late 19th century were not just animals, they were deeply embedded in the urban experience, and often suffered in the industrializing environment. The sketch feels incomplete, raw and honest. Breitner's impressionistic style captures a fleeting moment, a slice of life, inviting us to contemplate the relationship between humans, animals, and the burgeoning modern city. Breitner, who said "I am not a painter, but a photographer", captured images of the working class in an unvarnished reality. These images reflect a rapidly changing society. The emotional resonance in Breitner's work lies in its stark realism. It doesn't shy away from the grit and the hardship, inviting us to reflect on the human condition amidst industrial progress.