Gezicht in Amsterdam, mogelijk de Binnenkant c. 1902 - 1918

This sketchbook drawing, "Gezicht in Amsterdam, mogelijk de Binnenkant," was made by George Hendrik Breitner, likely with a graphite pencil, somewhere in Amsterdam. It’s a real study in seeing, right? The pencil lines are so tentative, almost like the artist is feeling his way through the scene. Notice how the lines vary in weight and direction, some are dark and assertive, others are light and barely there, creating a sense of depth and space. The paper itself seems to be breathing, holding the ghost of what could be. I keep coming back to the vertical lines that describe the buildings. They aren’t straight, they waver and tilt, giving the whole scene a sense of instability and movement. It’s like the city itself is alive, constantly shifting and changing. To me, it's reminiscent of Van Gogh's sketches, especially in the way he captures the energy of a place with just a few simple lines. It's a reminder that art is about the process, the journey of seeing and recording, rather than a fixed or finished product.