Gezicht in Amsterdam met karren en arbeiders c. 1886 - 1903

This sketch of Amsterdam, with carts and laborers, was made by George Hendrik Breitner using graphite on paper. The use of graphite lends a raw, immediate quality to the scene. The hasty lines, the smudges, the varying pressure of the artist’s hand – all give us a sense of being on the spot, watching as the laborers move through their day. The sketch is more than just a picture; it’s a record of the artist’s labor too, and also evidence of the everyday toil of the people he depicts. There’s an urgency to the marks on the page, capturing not just the appearance, but the energy, of the working city. Breitner doesn't romanticize the scene. Instead, the sketch offers an intimate and unvarnished view into the lives of Amsterdam's working class. This piece shows that even the simplest materials and processes can reveal complex social and cultural meanings.