Studie, mogelijk van een hek 1880 - 1882

This sketch, Studie, mogelijk van een hek, was created by George Hendrik Breitner, an artist active during a period of significant social change in the Netherlands. Breitner, known for his unflinching portrayals of Amsterdam's working class, offers here a glimpse into the urban fabric of his time. This seemingly simple sketch holds layers of meaning. The fence, rendered in rough strokes, acts as both a physical barrier and a metaphorical divide. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, urban spaces were undergoing rapid transformation, leading to increasing social stratification. Breitner's attention to such architectural details invites us to consider the lines that delineate public and private, inclusion and exclusion. What feelings does it evoke when observing the raw simplicity of this study? It prompts reflection on the barriers, both visible and unseen, that shape our interactions and perceptions within urban environments.