Annotaties 1893 - 1899

Annotations, by George Hendrik Breitner, is an intriguing work of an unknown date, now residing in the Rijksmuseum. Breitner, living between 1857 and 1923, was a Dutch painter and photographer known for his gritty depictions of Amsterdam life. Here, we see what seems to be a page torn from a notebook, filled with handwritten notes and calculations. It's almost like a glimpse into the artist's mind, a collection of thoughts, observations, and perhaps even expenses. The intimate nature of this piece invites us to consider the value we place on artists' personal effects. How do these fragments shape our understanding of their public personas? Breitner's impressionistic style captured the everyday struggles of the working class. Though this piece doesn't have an obvious narrative, it still resonates with themes of labor, value, and the raw reality of human existence. It reminds us that even the mundane details of life can hold profound meaning.