Schetsboek met 32 bladen 1872 - 1879

This is a sketchbook with 32 pages, made by George Hendrik Breitner, a Dutch artist working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sketchbooks like this offer a rare glimpse into the artist's process, revealing the everyday scenes and observations that would later inform Breitner’s paintings. Breitner was known for his depictions of Amsterdam, particularly its working class and urban landscapes. The unposed, candid nature of his sketches challenged the traditional art academies, which favored historical and allegorical subjects. Breitner aligned himself with a new generation of artists who sought to capture the gritty reality of modern life. The sketchbook’s presence in the Rijksmuseum collection speaks to the changing role of art institutions at the turn of the century. They began to recognize and legitimize art that reflected contemporary social issues. By studying Breitner’s sketches alongside his finished works and archival materials, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social conditions that shaped his artistic vision and the evolving function of art in society.