Studie, mogelijk van een weg c. 1891 - 1894

This is a pencil sketch, possibly of a road, by George Hendrik Breitner, likely made in the Netherlands sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although the artwork lacks precise dating, Breitner's broader artistic practice provides a valuable context. Breitner was known for capturing the dynamism of urban life, a theme closely linked to broader social and economic shifts occurring at the time. In the Netherlands, as elsewhere, the Industrial Revolution was reshaping cities and creating new social classes. Artists started to engage with the realities of everyday life, especially scenes of labor and leisure. Breitner aligns with the Realist movement that democratized art by finding beauty in everyday life. We can consult archives and historical society records to more precisely date this image by looking at how the artist’s vision was shaped by a rapidly changing world. This simple sketch serves as a reminder that our understanding of art is always mediated by its historical context.