Lezende vrouw in een interieur 1885

George Hendrik Breitner created this pen drawing, "Woman Reading in an Interior," to capture the mood and realities of everyday life in the Netherlands. Breitner was known for his interest in portraying modern urban life, especially that of working-class women, during a time when rapid industrialization and social changes were reshaping Dutch society. Here, we see a woman absorbed in her reading, an intimate moment made all the more powerful by Breitner’s stark, sketch-like lines. The domestic setting provides a sense of enclosure. The artwork challenges traditional gender roles by depicting a woman engaged in intellectual activity. Consider the emotional impact of witnessing such a private moment. Breitner's sketch invites us to reflect on how we connect with literature and the spaces we carve out for ourselves amidst the chaos of the modern world.