Paarden 1887 - 1891

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of horses with pencil on paper, but we can't know the precise date of this. Breitner was known for his depictions of working-class life in Amsterdam, and this sketch offers us a glimpse into his artistic process. The rapid lines and unfinished quality suggest an artist capturing a fleeting moment, perhaps in the streets of the city. Horses, of course, were essential to the economy and transportation. Breitner's focus on this subject reflects a broader interest in the everyday realities of urban life and the labor that sustained it. To fully understand Breitner's work, we have to examine not just the image itself but also the social and economic conditions of the Netherlands at the turn of the century. Archival research, period photography, and social histories can provide valuable context for interpreting this sketch. The meaning of this sketch is contingent on its place in the history of art and society.