Man en vrouw, op de rug gezien 1893 - 1894

George Hendrik Breitner sketched this image of a man and woman, viewed from the back, in charcoal on paper. As a leading figure of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, Breitner was interested in capturing everyday life and urban scenes. Looking at the artwork, we can see how the quick, loose strokes of charcoal capture a fleeting moment. The figures are anonymous and the setting is undefined, drawing attention to the universality of human experience. Made in the Netherlands, Breitner's art reflects the changing social landscape of the late 19th century, where industrialization and urbanization were rapidly transforming society. Historians would research social changes in Amsterdam to learn how it became a modern, cosmopolitan city, and how Breitner's art reflected these shifts. Understanding the social conditions of the time helps us appreciate how artists like Breitner sought to capture the essence of modern life, challenging traditional artistic conventions and paving the way for new forms of expression.