Trekhond voor een kar met bussen gespannen c. 1890 - 1910

This photograph of a horse and cart laden with milk canisters was taken by George Hendrik Breitner. Breitner was a Dutch painter and photographer known for his images of urban life in Amsterdam during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The photograph encapsulates the harsh realities of working-class life during this period. The horse, collapsed on the cobblestones, becomes a stark symbol of the physical toll exacted by labor. We see a city dependent on animal labor for its sustenance, yet seemingly indifferent to the well-being of these animals. Breitner's approach to realism, sometimes verging on social commentary, is evident here. This is not a romanticized vision of rural life, but a gritty portrayal of the working conditions that fueled the city's growth. The photograph invites us to reflect on the relationship between labor, class, and the often-unseen costs of urban development. It’s a poignant reminder of the lives, both human and animal, that were shaped by the demands of a rapidly changing world.