Figuurstudies 1873

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing, Figuurstudies, with pen in the Netherlands in the late 19th or early 20th century. Breitner was known for his gritty, realist depictions of Amsterdam and its working class. Looking at this sketch, we see a variety of figures, rendered with quick, economical lines. These are studies, exercises in capturing the human form. But what can they tell us about the social conditions that shaped Breitner’s art? Consider the academic system that trained artists at the time. Students spent countless hours copying classical casts and studying anatomy. Breitner’s sketches reflect that emphasis on mastering the human figure. But they also point to a break with academic tradition. Rather than idealized nudes or heroic historical scenes, Breitner focused on everyday people, the kind you might see on the streets of Amsterdam. To understand Breitner’s art, we need to look at the institutions that trained him, but also at the broader social and political forces that led him to turn his attention to the lives of ordinary people.