Water, mogelijk de zee 1881 - 1883

Here, we have George Hendrik Breitner's pencil drawing, "Water, possibly the sea," housed at the Rijksmuseum. Breitner lived during a time of significant social and political upheaval. The rise of industrialization and urbanization brought both progress and stark inequalities to Dutch society. Breitner's art often reflects these tensions, capturing the gritty realities of urban life with empathy and a sense of social awareness. His interest in seascapes is indicative of how industrialization changed not only working conditions, but also the environment. The loose strokes could evoke the overwhelming nature and uncontrollable power of the sea. The monochromatic, almost sparse nature of the drawing might reflect the emotional climate of the time, a sense of uncertainty in the face of modernization. Breitner said, "I see the beauty in the ordinary, in the everyday moments that others overlook." This drawing invites us to consider how our relationship to the environment and to each other shapes our perceptions of beauty and value.