Gezicht op de sloop van huizen in de De Clercqstraat te Amsterdam c. 1906 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing of the demolition of houses in the De Clercqstraat in Amsterdam with charcoal on paper. Breitner, living in the Netherlands between the 19th and 20th century, was known for his involvement with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. Breitner sought to capture the everyday life of the working class. The crude marks of the drawing speak to that end. Here, a scene of urban renewal becomes a subject worthy of study. Breitner was interested in the visual codes of modernity, and he was also fascinated by the social changes that came with it. This interest led him to document the changing face of Amsterdam, particularly the demolition and construction projects that were reshaping the city. If we want to understand Breitner's work and the institutional framing that made it possible, we must consult city archives, newspapers, and architectural plans, and integrate those sources with more traditional art historical methods.