Studieblad, onder andere met een zittende man 1880 - 1882

This is a sketch leaf by George Hendrik Breitner, made with pencil on paper. We see a jumble of horses, rendered with very little detail. The artist seems to have been most interested in their posture, and their relationship to some kind of carriage. Breitner was known for his depictions of working-class life in Amsterdam, and these sketches likely served as studies for larger paintings. What can be said about the mode of production? These are quick notations, not resolved works. They are a means to an end. These horses are not depicted in a heroic light. They are simply beasts of burden, performing labor. Breitner was not interested in idealizing the animals, but rather in capturing the gritty reality of urban life. In the context of Breitner's larger body of work, these sketches offer a glimpse into the artist's process, revealing his interest in capturing the everyday experiences of the working class. This speaks to a larger point about the role of art in society, and its potential to shed light on the lives of those who are often overlooked.