Figuur op de hoek van de Kalverstraat en de Dam te Amsterdam 1893

This sketch of a figure on a street corner in Amsterdam comes from the hand of George Hendrik Breitner. With rough strokes he captures a scene from a diary using pencil on paper. Breitner lived and worked in Amsterdam during a period of rapid urbanization and social change. He was known for his street scenes and depictions of everyday life. His work provides insight into the experiences of ordinary people amidst the changing urban landscape. His impressionistic style reflects the influence of modernity on art and society. Breitner once said: “Painting is feeling and seeing”. It is important to consider the historical and social context in which Breitner created his art. His art captured the intersection of individual lives and urban development. The emotional and experiential dimensions of the piece reveal a personal connection to the changing world around him.