Gebouwen, mogelijk boerderijen, in een landschap 1881 - 1883

This graphite drawing, titled "Gebouwen, mogelijk boerderijen, in een landschap", or "Buildings, possibly farms, in a landscape", was made by George Hendrik Breitner. Breitner lived from 1857 to 1923, a time of immense social and economic change in the Netherlands. Breitner was known for his interest in the lives of ordinary people, especially the working class. You can see this focus in his choice of subject matter. This sketch might seem simple, but it offers a glimpse into the rural landscapes that were rapidly changing due to urbanization. The drawing is a study of the buildings, likely farmhouses, scattered across the land. Breitner's style was influenced by the realist and impressionist movements. These movements challenged the art establishment by focusing on everyday life rather than idealized or historical subjects. Consider how Breitner uses the quick sketch to express the fleeting moments of everyday life. It reminds us of the emotional and personal connection we have to the places we inhabit.