Landschap met een wolkenlucht Possibly 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner made this landscape drawing with a pencil, on paper. During the late 19th century, Breitner belonged to a movement of Dutch artists who rejected the established art world. This sketch represents a radical departure from the traditional, idealized landscapes favored by the art academy. Instead, Breitner captured the raw, fleeting impression of a moment in nature. Made in the Netherlands, the sketch reflects the country’s unique geography. It also shows the shifting cultural values of the time, and the rise of realism. To understand Breitner, we need to look at exhibition records, artists’ manifestos, and even the popular press. These archives will help us better understand how his work challenged artistic conventions, and how it reflects a changing society. His images invite us to reflect on the dynamic relationship between art, social change, and institutional power.