Stadsgezicht 1888

George Hendrik Breitner made this city scene with graphite on paper. Rather than a traditional painting, the artist opted for the immediacy of a sketch, a medium often used for preparatory studies. Breitner captured the essence of the urban landscape through quick, expressive lines. The graphite, a relatively common material, allows for both bold strokes and delicate shading, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The roughness of the paper also contributes to the sketch's informal, almost fleeting quality. The artist seems less concerned with the precision of the buildings, and more interested in capturing the energy of the industrial world. This was a time of great change, when the lives of ordinary people were being transformed by factories and mass production. Perhaps Breitner chose this medium to reflect the transient nature of modern life. Considering the materials and processes, we can see how this drawing challenges the traditional hierarchy between sketches and finished artworks.