Gezicht op een straat bij het Vondelpark te Amsterdam, mogelijk de Willemsparkweg 1896 - 1897

George Hendrik Breitner sketched this street view near the Vondelpark in Amsterdam, likely using a pencil in a notebook. As a city rapidly modernizing at the turn of the 20th century, Amsterdam became a stage for new social interactions and urban experiences. Breitner was a keen observer of these dynamics. His sketches and paintings often captured the everyday life of the working class and the bustling city streets. This sketch, though simple, reflects his interest in documenting the changing urban landscape. Breitner positioned himself as a modern artist, rejecting the traditional art academies. His focus on realism and his choice of ordinary subjects challenged the established artistic norms. By examining Breitner's sketchbooks, alongside photographs and social documents from the period, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural context that shaped his artistic vision. This helps us appreciate his contribution to Dutch art history.