Landschap met figuren en een paard c. 1889 - 1904

This is George Hendrik Breitner’s sketch titled ‘Landschap met figuren en een paard’ held at the Rijksmuseum. Breitner was a Dutch painter, photographer and printmaker, and an important figure in the Amsterdam Impressionism movement of the late 19th century. The Rijksmuseum, like other major museums, plays a role in canonizing artists and movements, shaping our understanding of what is considered culturally significant. Here, the sparse pencil strokes hint at a landscape populated with figures and a horse. Made at a time when the Netherlands was undergoing rapid urbanization and industrialization, Breitner often depicted scenes of everyday life, capturing the gritty realities of the working class. These sketches can be understood as part of a broader artistic trend that challenged the traditional, idealized landscape painting that was favored by the art establishment. The role of the historian is vital in understanding the conditions that shape the production of art. By examining sources, we can gain insights into the social context in which the artist worked.