Gezicht in Amsterdam met boten, mogelijk het Rokin 1893

George Hendrik Breitner created this sketch of Amsterdam, possibly the Rokin, using graphite on paper, as part of a sketchbook, probably around the late 19th century. Breitner was known for his depictions of Amsterdam's city life, often capturing the daily routines of the working class. He was a flâneur, a wanderer, documenting the changing urban landscape. This sketch, with its raw and immediate feel, gives us insight into Breitner's artistic process. The loose lines and unfinished quality suggest a moment captured in time, reflecting the gritty reality of the city. Breitner himself said he was "not a painter to paint ladies in ball gowns". This ethos is clear in the drawing's departure from traditional, idealized representations, showing instead the everyday life of Amsterdam, with boats and buildings rendered in stark, unromantic terms. It is about the artist’s direct experience.