Werkzaamheden in de bouwput Sint Agnietenstraat te Amsterdam 1903

George Hendrik Breitner made this etching, "Construction in the Sint Agnietenstraat in Amsterdam," using drypoint. Breitner was known as the painter of city views, and he was particularly interested in depicting the daily life of the working class. In this image, we see laborers and a horse at a construction site in Amsterdam. It’s a somewhat gritty scene, indicative of the rapid urbanization and industrialization occurring in the Netherlands at the time. Breitner, influenced by Impressionism and photography, captured fleeting moments and the raw energy of the city. His work often challenged the art establishment's preference for more idealized or traditional subjects, instead focusing on the everyday experiences of ordinary people. To understand Breitner's place, we delve into archives, period newspapers, and writings from his contemporaries, connecting the art to its lived reality. The meaning of art lies in its relationship to the society that produces and receives it.