Aangespannen paard 1887 - 1891

This is an undated pencil drawing of a harnessed horse by George Hendrik Breitner, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Breitner, living from 1857 to 1923, situated himself in the bustling environment of Amsterdam during a period of rapid industrial and social change. During this era the lives of working-class people and their relationship with the urban landscape, became a focal point for artists. Consider how the horse in this sketch isn't just an animal, but a symbol of labor, deeply entangled with human lives and economies. Breitner, known for his empathetic portrayals, captures the immediacy of the horse’s form in quick, confident strokes, reflecting both his artistic skill and the animal’s vitality. There is something deeply moving in Breitner’s choice to focus on the harnessed horse. It encourages us to reflect on how labor shapes identity and experience. Through this sketch, Breitner not only captures a moment in time but also invites us to consider the complex relationships between humans, animals, and the urban environments they inhabit.