Schetsboek met 10 bladen 1880 - 1882

This is George Hendrik Breitner’s sketchbook, a personal object, small in size. Breitner lived and worked during a period of rapid social and technological change in the Netherlands. He is known for his paintings and photographs of Amsterdam, particularly its working class districts. Breitner sought to capture the energy and movement of modern urban life. His work often focused on the experiences of ordinary people. There are also many images of women. He was interested in representing the lives of women from different social classes, from working girls to high society ladies, often pictured in intimate settings. Breitner's approach was very modern. Photography influenced his style, giving his paintings a candid, snapshot-like quality. He aimed to show life as it was, without embellishment. The intimacy of a sketchbook gives the viewer a direct connection to the artist's perspective, reflecting both personal and broader societal themes.