Studieblad Possibly 1881 - 1883

This is a page of sketches by George Hendrik Breitner, held at the Rijksmuseum, and made with graphite on paper. Breitner, who lived from 1857 to 1923, was a Dutch painter known for his depictions of Amsterdam and for being an important figure in the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. Breitner here sketches a woman wearing a dress. In the top of the page we see quick, loose sketches of her hands. These kind of sketches were used by Breitner as studies for larger paintings and reflect the artistic trends of the time, when the sketch became more important as an artwork. Breitner’s social environment was that of a rapidly industrialising Netherlands, and his artistic style was influenced by his desire to capture the energy and dynamism of modern urban life. To understand Breitner’s sketches better, art historians study a range of sources, including his letters, writings of his contemporaries, and the records of art institutions. By placing his work in its historical context, we can gain a deeper appreciation.