Nieuwe Kerk te Amsterdam, gezien vanaf de Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal c. 1894

George Hendrik Breitner created this sketch of the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam using pencil on paper. Breitner lived and worked in Amsterdam during a time of rapid social and physical change. He was known for capturing everyday life in the city, often focusing on the working class. In this sketch, Breitner directs our gaze up towards the towering church. The bold marks with which he renders the church could be said to challenge the traditional, idealized representations of religious architecture. We get a sense of the imposing structure and perhaps even the changing Amsterdam skyline in the late 19th and early 20th century. Breitner once said: "I see beauty in the streets... I am entirely for the people." This piece underscores his commitment to capturing the essence of urban life and invites us to consider the evolving identity of Amsterdam and its inhabitants. It asks us to find beauty and meaning in the everyday.