Vrouw met kind, mogelijk in de Eerste Laurierdwarsstraat te Amsterdam c. 1886 - 1903

George Hendrik Breitner sketched “Woman with Child, possibly in the Eerste Laurierdwarsstraat in Amsterdam,” using graphite on paper. The drawing presents a composition dominated by stark contrasts and angular forms. The woman and child are rendered with rapid, almost fragmented lines, conveying movement and a sense of immediacy. Breitner’s use of line is particularly striking. The thick, dark strokes delineate the figures and architectural elements with an almost brutal directness, while lighter, sketchier lines suggest depth and atmosphere. Notice how the buildings in the background are just as important as the figures. This highlights the artist’s integration of the figures into the urban landscape. The composition is asymmetrical. This creates a dynamic tension that mirrors the energy of the city. The sketch is a study in contrasts: light versus dark, solid versus void, finished versus unfinished. This reflects Breitner’s fascination with capturing the fleeting moments of everyday life. Through the formal elements of line and composition, Breitner invites us to consider the relationship between the individual and the modern urban environment, capturing a sense of raw, unvarnished reality.