Gezicht in Amsterdam met een toren, mogelijk van de Oude Kerk 1907 - 1909

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of Amsterdam, maybe with charcoal, and maybe in a sketchbook, at an unknown date. I love how Breitner captures the essence of a place with just a few strokes. The marks are so immediate, so intuitive, like he’s not trying to represent the city perfectly, but rather convey a feeling, an impression. You can almost feel the city’s pulse through the texture of the charcoal on paper. Notice how the lines vary in thickness and pressure, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. It’s like he’s sketching not just what he sees, but also how he sees it. Look at the tower. See how it fades into the background. It's barely there, but it's enough to suggest the city's skyline. Breitner reminds me of Van Gogh, another artist who found beauty in the everyday. Like Van Gogh, Breitner was more interested in capturing a feeling. Art isn’t just about showing; it’s about feeling, thinking, and imagining.