Geometrische patronen en een kar op een markt Possibly 1881 - 1883

This pencil drawing of geometric patterns and a cart in a market was made by George Hendrik Breitner. While the date of the drawing isn't known, Breitner lived from 1857 to 1923, and he worked in Amsterdam. The immediacy and lack of finish give us insight into the artist's method. He's exploring both the geometry of an abstract design and the geometric forms that constitute a market scene. This interest in geometry reflects the burgeoning artistic experiments of the time. Breitner seems to be asking: can geometric abstraction capture social life? And what happens when you combine them? Breitner was associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. If you’re interested in learning more, explore the social conditions that gave rise to the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. You might consider visiting archives and libraries to uncover the ways in which art reflects the social and institutional contexts of its time.