Studie, mogelijk van een bouwterrein 1887 - 1891

George Hendrik Breitner, known for his images of working-class Amsterdam, made this sketch of a construction site using charcoal. Breitner lived in a time of rapid urbanization and industrial expansion. His work challenged traditional notions of beauty by focusing on the gritty realities of city life. As he once stated: "I see nothing fantastic or romantic about it. What I do see...is by far more interesting than all that beauty...". Breitner's focus on the urban landscape and its workers reflects a shift in artistic interest towards the everyday experiences of ordinary people. The sketch almost seems unfinished, perhaps mirroring the unfinished nature of the construction site, or the ever-changing urban environment. Breitner’s choice of subject matter, and his commitment to depicting modern life, provide a glimpse into the changing social and economic landscape of the Netherlands at the time.