Landschap met een boerderij 1884 - 1886

George Hendrik Breitner created this drawing, 'Landschap met een boerderij', with a pencil on paper. Breitner was working in the Netherlands during a time of rapid urbanization at the end of the 19th century. In this sketch, we can see the barest outlines of a rural landscape, almost as if the artist is trying to capture a fleeting memory. The rough strokes and unfinished quality might be interpreted as a reaction against the polished academic styles that dominated the art world at the time. Breitner's focus on the everyday, and his almost journalistic approach to his subjects, can be seen as a reflection of broader social changes. To truly understand Breitner's work, we need to dig into the social history of the Netherlands during the late 1800s, looking at photographs, newspapers and other documents from the time. Only then can we fully appreciate the ways in which his art both reflected and challenged the norms of his society.