Gezicht op de Beursstraat te Amsterdam 1912 - 1919

This is George Hendrik Breitner’s sketch of the Beursstraat in Amsterdam. Breitner lived and worked in Amsterdam during a time of rapid urbanization and social change, and was known for his images of the city. His involvement with the art journal "De Nieuwe Gids" placed him in the cultural and political landscape of the Dutch Golden Age. In this sketch, Breitner captures a glimpse of the Beursstraat with an intimacy and immediacy of the scene. The sketch is not merely a depiction of buildings, but also an exploration of the lived experience of the city and the changes it was undergoing. The marks capture the transient nature of urban life. Breitner’s work often reflects the gritty realities of urban existence, the alienation and anonymity of modern life. This sketch provides a unique, unvarnished glimpse into the development of Amsterdam and its effect on the individual.