Studie, mogelijk van schepen 1887

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, possibly of ships, with a pencil on paper. Breitner lived and worked in the Netherlands during a time of rapid industrialization and urbanization. His impressionistic style and focus on everyday urban life set him apart from the art establishment. Breitner's sketches offer a glimpse into the working-class neighborhoods and bustling cityscapes of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. He challenged the prevailing norms of academic art by depicting the lives of ordinary people. Breitner's artwork is a product of his time, reflecting the social and economic transformations that were reshaping Dutch society. Understanding the social and institutional context in which Breitner worked allows us to appreciate his contribution to the development of modern art in the Netherlands. We can look to the archives of art institutions, historical societies, and libraries to get a better understanding of his world.