Portret van een vrouw wandelend over de Prinsengracht in Amsterdam c. 1890 - 1910

This photograph of a woman on the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam was taken by George Hendrik Breitner. Breitner worked in the Netherlands at the turn of the 20th century, a period of rapid social and economic change, driven by industrialization. The artist was fascinated by the raw, unvarnished realities of urban life. This image offers a glimpse into the world of a woman navigating the bustling city. Her attire suggests she belongs to the middle class, and her presence on the canal hints at the growing role of women in public life. Breitner was associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. He embraced photography as a tool for capturing fleeting moments and everyday scenes, rather than staged or idealized portraits. By studying photographs like these, and considering the historical context in which they were made, we can better understand the changing social dynamics of the time.