Studie, mogelijk van een paardenbeen 1886 - 1923

This is a graphite sketch titled ‘Studie, mogelijk van een paardenbeen’ made by George Hendrik Breitner whose life spanned from 1857 to 1923. Breitner was a Dutch painter and photographer known for his images of working-class life and urban scenes in Amsterdam. This sketch, part of a study of horses, provides a glimpse into Breitner’s artistic process and his fascination with movement and form. During Breitner’s time, horses were deeply embedded in the urban fabric of Amsterdam. They were essential for transportation, trade, and even military activities. Breitner’s choice to focus on these animals also highlights his empathy for the working class, who often relied on horses in their daily lives. The sketch is both intimate and immediate; it is a study of how these animals contributed to the broader economy and social life of the city. It serves as a poignant reminder of how intertwined human and animal lives once were.