Figuurstudies 1880 - 1882

This is a sketch made by George Hendrik Breitner, and it currently resides in the Rijksmuseum. It is impossible to date exactly, but we do know it was made sometime during Breitner's lifetime. Breitner was known for depicting the daily life of Amsterdam, often focusing on working-class subjects. These sketches offer a glimpse into his process, capturing figures in a raw and immediate way. Breitner belonged to a generation that was critical of the established art institutions. His focus on the everyday and his direct, unidealized style challenged the prevailing academic norms of the time. To truly understand the art of Breitner, resources such as letters, exhibition reviews, and the records of art academies and salons are invaluable. These sources help us reconstruct the artistic debates of the time.