Aangespannen paarden 1880 - 1882

This sketch, by George Hendrik Breitner, was made with graphite on paper. The immediacy of the medium lends itself to capturing a fleeting moment, almost like a snapshot. Breitner was known for his depictions of working-class life in Amsterdam, and in this piece, we see horses hitched to a cart, likely waiting to transport goods. The rapid, almost frantic lines convey a sense of urban hustle and bustle. You can almost hear the clatter of hooves and the shouts of merchants. Consider the social context: horses were essential for transportation and trade, integral to the functioning of the late 19th-century economy. The sketch is not just a representation of horses, but a glimpse into the labor and infrastructure that powered the city. So next time you look at a simple drawing like this, remember that it’s not just about what is depicted, but also how the materials and the act of making contribute to its deeper meaning.