Gezicht op het Rokin te Amsterdam en boten c. 1886 - 1903

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of the Rokin in Amsterdam, capturing boats and the surrounding architecture with dynamic strokes. Breitner lived in Amsterdam during a period of intense social and economic change. His work reflects the experiences of the working class and the urban environment, marking a shift in Dutch art towards more socially conscious themes. Breitner, often associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, sought to capture the raw, unfiltered reality of city life. His sketches, like this one, offer a glimpse into his artistic process and the subjects that captivated him. It is as if you are viewing the world through his eyes, capturing the essence of a fleeting moment. Breitner's art was very much of his time, a moment of transition and industrialization. In a time when art was shifting from idealized landscapes to the realities of urban life, Breitner's art embodies a new emotional, subjective perspective.