Gezicht in Amsterdam 1886 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of Amsterdam, on paper, and it's all about process, about getting something down, quick. The hatching gives it volume, it's like he's shading, but in such a way that it's also linear and flat. It's like he's thinking in lines, and how those lines can build a world. Look closely at the bottom left. You see how he's used these short, choppy lines to suggest a building or structure? It's not about detail, but about capturing the essence of the city. The texture of the paper plays a big part too. It's not smooth, it's got a bit of tooth to it, which gives the pencil something to grab onto. It's like the city itself, a bit rough around the edges. Breitner’s style is similar to other artists who were working at the time, like Whistler, in that it has a tonalist quality. Both artists are interested in the atmosphere of a place, and how it feels to be there. Art’s always a conversation. It’s about how we see, and how we make sense of the world.