Voorovergebogen man c. 1882 - 1912

This sketch of a bending man was made by George Hendrik Breitner, a Dutch artist known for his depictions of urban life in Amsterdam during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Breitner lived through a time of rapid social and economic change, with industrialization leading to new class divisions. His work often focused on the lives of ordinary people, especially the working class. In this sketch, the bending figure evokes a sense of labor, perhaps reflecting the physical demands placed on many individuals during this era. The man's posture might speak to exhaustion, or the relentless pressure of daily life. The bending of the body can be viewed as a symbol of the social hierarchies that forced individuals into subservient positions. Breitner's sketch captures a fleeting moment, yet hints at broader social issues of labor and class.