Bukkende man, mogelijk een visser 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner sketched "Bukkende man, mogelijk een visser" ("Bowing man, possibly a fisherman") using graphite on paper. Breitner lived during a time of rapid urbanization and industrial expansion in the Netherlands. His work often depicted the lives of ordinary people, especially laborers and the working class. This sketch gives us an intimate view of a man, likely a fisherman, caught in a moment of labor. The bowing posture suggests toil and the physical demands of his work. Breitner, known for his interest in capturing the immediacy of everyday life, was drawn to the working class, portraying them with empathy and respect, diverging from romanticized depictions of labor. In his own words, he was "always on the lookout for moments of beauty on the streets." This sketch invites reflection on the value and dignity of labor, urging us to consider the human stories behind the daily grind.