Studie c. 1886 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner made this study on paper with graphite. Breitner was a key figure in the Amsterdam Impressionism movement in the Netherlands. His art was rooted in the everyday life of the working class, and this study offers a glimpse into his process. As an artist, Breitner wanted to represent modern life as it was, rather than how it was perceived by the upper class. Although it's not clear exactly what the subject of this sketch is, it's the kind of drawing that would have been a valuable resource in his studio. These sketches are a key resource when historians reconstruct Breitner's social world. By examining his preliminary studies, as well as the urban context in which he lived and worked, we can gain a richer understanding of his images.