Ruiter met paarden op de Lemelerberg c. 1885 - 1898

This is George Hendrik Breitner’s pencil sketch, 'Rider with Horses on the Lemelerberg'. Breitner was known for capturing the energy of everyday life in the Netherlands, particularly in Amsterdam. Consider the cultural context: Breitner was working in a time of rapid urbanization and industrial change. His art often reflects a tension between romanticizing traditional Dutch life and acknowledging the realities of modern society. In this sketch, the rural setting of the Lemelerberg offers a contrast to the urban scenes he often depicted, perhaps expressing a longing for a simpler, more pastoral existence. The sketch invites us to reflect on themes of identity, progress, and nostalgia. What does it mean to look back at images of people in harmony with animals and nature, especially as modern life becomes ever more complex and disconnected from the natural world?