Studie, mogelijk van dieren 1884 - 1886

This is George Hendrik Breitner’s study, possibly of animals. Created during a time when rapid urbanization and industrialization were reshaping European societies, Breitner, like many artists, turned to capturing fleeting moments of everyday life. Breitner was known for his interest in movement and his ability to depict scenes from modern urban life with realism and immediacy, and this sketch offers a glimpse into his process. The sketch can be seen as a reflection of a broader cultural shift towards valuing direct observation and experience. Breitner’s sketches, with their raw and expressive lines, invite us to engage with the world in a more visceral and immediate way. The sparse yet evocative strokes reflect the tensions between tradition and modernity that defined Breitner’s era.