Gezicht op gebouwen in Amsterdam 1886 - 1908

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of buildings in Amsterdam with charcoal, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. Charcoal, with its rough texture and susceptibility to smudging, is uniquely positioned to capture the gritty atmosphere of a city undergoing industrial transformation. The charcoal lines are direct and unrefined; this immediacy allows for a certain kind of truth-telling, as it captures the ephemeral conditions of urban life. Breitner clearly responded to the materiality of charcoal, emphasizing tonal contrasts and blurred edges. This suggests an interest in the city's social context, particularly the living and working conditions of its inhabitants. It’s easy to overlook the amount of labor and rapid construction going on at the time. This sketch invites us to consider the artist's method, and the ways in which it reflects the broader social and economic forces shaping Amsterdam at the time.