Zeilschepen op het water 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of sailboats on water with a graphite pencil on paper. Breitner lived and worked in the Netherlands during a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization. He is known for his depictions of working-class life and the bustling city of Amsterdam. Breitner was associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, which sought to capture the fleeting moments of everyday life. The sketch-like quality of this drawing reflects this interest in capturing a momentary impression. But it is also a reflection of the institutional and pedagogical structures of the time. It could be an academic exercise or a preliminary sketch for a larger work. To fully understand Breitner's work, one might consult sources such as exhibition catalogues, period reviews, and the archives of art academies. Only then can the social and institutional context of his art be fully appreciated.