Man met hoed 1886 - 1903

George Hendrik Breitner sketched “Man met hoed,” or “Man with Hat,” using black chalk and graphite on paper. Breitner was known for his depictions of working-class life in Amsterdam. This sketch provides an intriguing glimpse into Breitner's process. While the subject's identity remains elusive, the hat suggests a certain status, perhaps indicating a member of the bourgeoisie encountered amidst Amsterdam’s bustling streets. There is an intimate quality to the sketch, as though the artist quickly captured the man's essence during a fleeting moment. Breitner’s ability to find beauty and interest in everyday life reflects a broader cultural shift towards valuing the experiences of all social classes. Breitner was known to say, "I only paint what I see." Yet, his choice of subjects, his focus on the working class, reveals a deeper engagement with the social realities of his time. This sketch, though simple, invites us to consider the complex relationship between the artist, his subject, and the society in which they lived.