Prinseneilandsgracht met de Sloterdijkerbrug, gezien vanaf de Nieuwe Teertuinen 1907 - 1909

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of Prinseneilandsgracht with the Sloterdijkerbrug in charcoal on paper. The composition is divided by a central vertical line where the sketchbook opens, separating two distinct modes of representation. On the right, we see a structural rendering of architectural elements like a bridge, defined by bold, diagonal lines and shaded areas, creating a sense of depth and form. The left side contrasts sharply with a diffuse and almost abstract treatment of foliage, where lines are scribbled, almost disappearing into the background. This contrast highlights Breitner's exploration of perception and representation, playing with clarity and ambiguity. The structural elements on the right provide a stable framework, while the left side evokes a transient, sensory experience of nature. This interplay challenges our assumptions about the fixity of vision and meaning, suggesting that what we see is always mediated by our perspective and the methods used to represent it.