Heiwerkzaamheden c. 1867 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, Heiwerkzaamheden, which translates to pile-driving or construction work, with a black crayon on paper. Breitner was known for capturing the dynamism of Amsterdam and was interested in portraying the lives of ordinary people. This work gives us a glimpse into the rapidly changing urban landscape of the late 19th century, where construction became a visual symbol of progress. The loose, gestural strokes convey a sense of immediacy, and the lack of detail directs us to see the raw energy and movement of the workers. Although we see a construction site without the workers being the main subject of the piece, their labor and the changing urban landscape have become the focus. It invites us to consider the role of labor in shaping our environments and the human cost often hidden behind progress.