Twee figuren, mogelijk zittend Possibly 1882 - 1900

George Hendrik Breitner sketched "Twee figuren, mogelijk zittend" using graphite on paper, with the precise date currently unknown. Breitner, who lived from 1857 to 1923, captured the raw, unvarnished realities of urban life during a period of significant social change in the Netherlands. This sketch offers an intimate glimpse into Breitner’s process, reflecting his interest in depicting everyday life and his break from traditional, idealized representations. As an artist, he was interested in exploring modern Dutch society. The figures, possibly seated, invite reflection on the lives of ordinary people, rendered with the spontaneity of a fleeting observation. Breitner captured the zeitgeist of the late 19th century, and his work makes us consider the narratives that might have been overlooked in more formal artistic compositions. The emotional impact lies in the sketch’s vulnerability, a candid look at human form and interaction stripped of formality. Breitner’s choice to focus on the unassuming offers a compelling social commentary, emphasizing the beauty in the mundane.