Twee figuren op straat c. 1909

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of two figures in the street with pencil on paper. Breitner was a renowned Dutch artist, active during a period of significant social change. This image offers a glimpse into the everyday life of the time. The sketch’s hurried lines suggest a fleeting moment captured, reflecting the artist’s interest in urban life. Made at a time of rapid urbanization and industrial expansion in the Netherlands, Breitner was particularly interested in representing the working classes and the marginalized. The institutional histories of Dutch art reveal how artists began to shift their focus from traditional, aristocratic subjects to the realities of modern life. By studying sources like photographs, newspapers, and social surveys from the period, the historian can reconstruct the specific context of this artwork and Breitner’s artistic vision. This sketch, therefore, becomes a valuable document of social change, reflecting the dynamic relationship between art, society, and history.