Twee trekpaarden 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner sketched "Twee trekpaarden" to capture working horses in the Netherlands. Breitner was part of a generation that witnessed rapid urban expansion and industrialization. Here, we see these animals depicted in the context of labor. These working horses were essential to the economy and infrastructure of the Netherlands. However, they were also living beings, and Breitner's sketch captures the weight and dynamism of these animals. Breitner had an eye for capturing movement, and his paintings of working-class subjects celebrate the unsung heroes of the city. By focusing on the everyday life of working-class subjects like these horses, Breitner challenged traditional representations in art. He reminds us of the inherent dignity and value in all forms of labor. This sketch resonates with its sincere engagement with work and its commentary on whose stories get told.