Landschap met wolkenlucht 1884 - 1886

This is a double-page pencil sketch called "Landschap met wolkenlucht" or "Landscape with Cloudy Sky", made by George Hendrik Breitner. Breitner was working in the Netherlands during a time of rapid social and economic change and there was a sense of wanting to capture the essence of everyday life. Unlike traditional landscape painting which was intended to be pleasing and impressive, Breitner’s sketches capture the raw energy of an industrializing nation. The drawing is not made to be attractive or beautiful, but truthful. The artist seems to be looking for a deeper understanding of the landscape and society in which he lived. How do we know this was Breitner’s intention? Well, we can look at his other works, the critical reception he received, and the impact of his art on subsequent generations of Dutch artists. The artwork shows how it can reflect and comment on the social structures of its time. It challenges us to think about the politics of imagery.