Studie 1881 - 1883

This sketch is by George Hendrik Breitner and is held at the Rijksmuseum. Breitner lived during a time of immense social and political change in the Netherlands and his art often grappled with the impact of modernization on everyday life. This sketch offers us a raw, unfiltered glimpse into Breitner's artistic process. What do you see? Are these the initial strokes of a figure, a building, a fleeting moment captured in charcoal? Breitner was known for his street scenes of Amsterdam, documenting the lives of ordinary people with an unflinching eye. His work often focused on the working class, capturing their struggles and resilience in a rapidly changing urban environment. Breitner’s approach was deeply rooted in the realities of his time, his sketches invite us to consider the stories behind the images and the social context in which they were created. This sketch isn't just a picture; it's a record of a time and place, seen through the eyes of an artist deeply engaged with his world.