Studie, mogelijk een stadsgezicht 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner captured this sketch, possibly a cityscape, with rapid strokes on paper. In the left foreground, we discern the figure of a horse and rider. The horse, a symbol of power and vitality, appears throughout art history, from classical equestrian statues to Delacroix's Romantic depictions. But here, the dynamic energy of the horse is muted. The creature seems burdened, its form obscured by the artist’s quick strokes, reflecting the toils of urban life. The rider almost blends with the horse’s back. The sketch evokes a feeling of isolation and anonymity. The collective memory of urban life, with its mix of opportunities and alienation, speaks to us. The non-linear progression of the symbol is evident as the artist reshapes a classic symbol to convey the human experience within a modern, evolving cityscape.