Twee gezichten in Amsterdam c. 1903

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, Twee gezichten in Amsterdam, probably in situ, en plein air, at some point during his time in Amsterdam. The graphite lead is smudged, blurred, uncertain, suggestive. I can imagine Breitner pulling out his sketchbook to capture a fleeting impression, quickly scribbling down the essence of what he saw, a flurry of lines seeking to fix a moment in time. I wonder, what was it like to be Breitner, wandering through Amsterdam, notebook in hand, always ready to record the world around him? What drew his eye? What stories did he see unfolding in the streets? Did he feel the weight of responsibility to bear witness to the changing face of the city? Or was he simply compelled by the sheer beauty of everyday life, the way light fell across a building, or the expressions on people’s faces? Whatever it was, it compelled him. We are all in conversation with each other. We take our cues and inspiration from those who came before, building upon their insights and discoveries.