Annotaties Possibly 1882 - 1886

This annotated page comes from a sketchbook by the Dutch artist George Hendrik Breitner. Sketchbooks like this one, held today in museums and galleries, allow us to get closer to an artist's working methods and see the stages in their artistic development. These annotations likely reflect Breitner's process of observing and recording details from the world around him. Made during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they provide a glimpse into the urban landscape of Amsterdam, which Breitner dedicated himself to portraying. The raw and spontaneous nature of the annotations give us a more intimate understanding of how Breitner saw and engaged with his surroundings. In the Netherlands, at this time, there was a rising sense of national identity, particularly in Amsterdam. These drawings capture the everyday moments of a nation in transition. By studying Breitner's sketchbooks alongside historical documents, photographs, and other archival materials, we can gain a more complete understanding of his artistic vision and the social context in which he worked.