Figuren, mogelijk op straat c. 1886 - 1903

This pencil drawing, "Figuren, mogelijk op straat" which translates to "Figures, possibly on the street", was made by George Hendrik Breitner. Breitner was known for his depictions of Amsterdam's street life, and this sketch offers a glimpse into his process of capturing the city's inhabitants. In the late 19th century, Amsterdam was undergoing rapid urbanization and industrialization. Breitner positioned himself as a chronicler of these changes. This work captures figures perhaps caught in a transient moment on a busy street. These sketches, though simple, evoke a sense of the social dynamics at play within the urban environment. How were these individuals shaped by the city, and how did they, in turn, shape its identity? Breitner’s dedication to capturing the everyday, pushes us to consider the lives of those often overlooked in grand narratives.