Studieblad met vrouwenhoofden 1884 - 1886

This is George Hendrik Breitner's 'Studieblad met vrouwenhoofden' housed here at the Rijksmuseum. Breitner, who lived from 1857 to 1923, was a Dutch painter and photographer, known for his depictions of urban life in Amsterdam. Breitner's sketches of women provide a window into the lives of ordinary people in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His focus on working-class women, often shown in moments of contemplation or labor, challenges the traditional art historical emphasis on portraying upper-class women. His subjects, caught in their everyday routines, reflect the changing roles of women in a rapidly industrializing society. They capture the nuanced experiences of women navigating the constraints and possibilities of their time. Breitner’s ability to capture these fleeting, intimate moments invites us to reflect on our own experiences and connections to the past.