Vrouwen, op de rug gezien en in profiel c. 1895 - 1898

This sketch titled, *Vrouwen, op de rug gezien en in profiel,* was created by George Hendrik Breitner and is currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. The drawing presents a series of swiftly captured impressions, focusing primarily on women viewed from the back and in profile. Breitner’s use of line is particularly striking, with a raw and immediate quality that captures the fleeting nature of urban life. The figures are defined by quick, gestural marks, and there are sparse details which suggest a preoccupation with movement and form rather than precise representation. This emphasis on the ephemeral aligns with the broader artistic concerns of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where artists increasingly sought to convey subjective experiences and sensory impressions. The composition, with its fragmented figures and ambiguous spatial relationships, challenges traditional notions of perspective and representation. Ultimately, this drawing functions as both an aesthetic object and a document of its time, inviting viewers to reflect on the changing urban landscape and the evolving role of representation in art.