Studie c. 1902 - 1914

This drawing was made by George Hendrik Breitner in the Netherlands, likely towards the end of the 19th century. It's a study, a preparatory sketch, perhaps for a larger composition. Breitner was known for his images of working-class life in Amsterdam, often rendered in a deliberately rough and unpolished style. This drawing, though minimal, speaks to that interest in capturing everyday reality. The rapid lines suggest a fleeting moment, a glimpse of a scene observed and quickly recorded. Breitner aligned himself with a progressive artistic movement that rejected the rigid academic standards of the time. This movement sought to find beauty and meaning in the mundane aspects of modern life. To understand this drawing fully, we need to look at Breitner's other works, his social context, and the institutional forces that shaped his artistic choices. Archival research, along with an understanding of the art market, can help us to see the drawing not just as a simple sketch, but as a product of a particular time and place.