Figuurstudies 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing titled ‘Figuurstudies’ with a graphite pencil on paper. The artist lived and worked in the Netherlands during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time of rapid social change and industrialization. Breitner was part of a generation of artists who sought to capture the realities of modern life, turning away from traditional academic painting. This sketch may reflect the artist's interest in portraying everyday subjects. The loose, unfinished quality of the drawing suggests that it was made quickly, perhaps on location, and that he wasn't afraid to suggest social issues like the anonymity of city life and the working class. To understand Breitner's artistic vision, historians often consult his letters, photographs, and contemporary accounts of the art world. By placing his work in its social and institutional context, we can better appreciate its meaning and significance.