Figuren, mogelijk op straat Possibly 1881 - 1883

This pencil drawing of figures, possibly on the street, was created by George Hendrik Breitner. Breitner lived in a time of rapid urbanization in Amsterdam, with all the social stratification that accompanied it. His involvement with the Hague School placed emphasis on realism, and the experience of the common person. You can see this in the loose strokes of the drawing: they portray the movement of a figure walking through the city, capturing a fleeting moment. Breitner was known for his photographs of the city and its inhabitants. He used photography as studies for his paintings, focusing on working-class women. In his paintings and drawings, he did not shy away from portraying the realities of poverty and urban life, providing a glimpse into the lives of those often overlooked. In "Figures, possibly on the street," you can feel the bustling energy of city life. This drawing invites us to reflect on the complex identities of the people who make up our urban environments, and the stories hidden within their everyday movements.