Studie 1881 - 1883

This is a sketch by George Hendrik Breitner, created at an unknown date with an unknown medium. Breitner lived and worked in the Netherlands during a time of rapid social and economic change. This sketch gives us a glimpse into the artist's working method. We see a focus on capturing the essence of the subject with minimal detail. It seems to explore the theme of urban life, perhaps buildings and structures from Amsterdam. It provides insight into the daily life of the city. Breitner was associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, a progressive movement that aimed to depict contemporary life in a realistic and unidealized manner. A study of archives, letters, and exhibition records from the Netherlands may give the viewer more context on the urban development and artistic production in Amsterdam during this period. The meaning of art is always contingent on the time and place in which it was made.