Gezicht op een straat met figuren 1893

This is a sketch from a notebook by George Hendrik Breitner, made with graphite on paper. The ephemeral nature of the materials belies the intense labor required for the artistic process. Breitner worked rapidly to capture the world around him, his marks reflecting the pace of urban life. The graphite is applied in quick strokes, a sense of immediacy capturing the essence of the city street. The texture of the paper also influences the appearance of the drawing, the tooth of the paper catching the graphite and creating a rough, unfinished look. While Breitner was certainly trained in academic conventions, he clearly chose to embrace the raw energy of modern life. This choice of materials and techniques also reflects a broader social context. During Breitner's lifetime, there was a growing interest in the lives of ordinary people. This drawing can be seen as part of this trend, and by focusing on the everyday, Breitner elevated the lives of the working class to a subject worthy of artistic attention.