Studie c. 1886 - 1890

This is George Hendrik Breitner’s ‘Studie’, currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. Breitner, working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, lived in a time of immense social and political change, with increasing urbanisation and stark class divisions. Breitner was known for his gritty, realistic depictions of Amsterdam. His work provides a glimpse into the lives of the working class, often overlooked in traditional art. Breitner moved away from romantic portrayals, capturing the everyday struggles and fleeting moments of city life. As he once said: "Painting is feeling, and that feeling must come from nature." The sketch you see here might seem simple, yet it speaks volumes. It's a study, an early exploration of what would later become a larger, more detailed artwork. It offers a raw, intimate view into Breitner's process and a poignant reflection on the rapidly changing world around him. The sketch is an open invitation to feel a connection with history.