Annotaties 1893

This is a page from a sketchbook, Annotaties, made by George Hendrik Breitner, whose practice captured Amsterdam's street life. The page is defined by its stark geometric structure, sharply divided by horizontal lines into distinct, rectangular sections. The upper segment announces 'SEPTEMBER' and 'Maandag 25', while the inscription 'Dinsdag 26' marks the separation of days. The lower portion is filled with Breitner's handwriting. The contrast between the cold, rigid lines of the printed calendar and the fluid, organic scrawl of Breitner's annotations creates a dynamic tension. In semiotic terms, the printed words function as signs of time, while the handwritten notes are indices of Breitner's thoughts. This piece offers a glimpse into Breitner's artistic process, revealing how he synthesized his observations into tangible forms, which not only documented the era, but also reflected on the artist's individual experience within the urban environment.