Gezicht op een straat in Amsterdam c. 1903

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing, *Gezicht op een straat in Amsterdam*, in Amsterdam. It's a frenetic sketch, rapid and restless, captured with graphite on paper. I imagine Breitner, out in the streets, whipping out his sketchbook, trying to capture the light and atmosphere of the city. He’s working fast, trying to pin down what he sees, but also what he *feels*. This isn't just a depiction of buildings; it’s a record of his experience. There is no attempt to render every brick and window with photorealist precision; instead, he uses a few lines to suggest the essence of the scene. The graphite is smudged and blurred in places, suggesting movement and transience. It's like he's trying to capture the energy of the street, the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It reminds me that painting and drawing can be a way of recording not just what’s in front of you, but how it makes you feel.