Strijdende soldaten 1872 - 1879

George Hendrik Breitner created this sketch, Strijdende soldaten, during a time of significant shifts in Dutch society, where the rapid industrialization and urbanization altered traditional social structures. The sketch illustrates a chaotic battle scene with soldiers in combat. Breitner, known for his interest in movement and capturing fleeting moments, conveys a sense of disorder and violence. The loose lines and dynamic composition add to the intensity of the scene, highlighting the physical and emotional turmoil of battle. Breitner was deeply engaged with representing the lives of ordinary people, especially those on the margins of society, and often depicted working-class subjects. While this sketch diverges from his typical subject matter, it reflects the anxieties of a society grappling with modernization and conflict. Breitner was quoted saying: "I see beauty in the everyday, in the unadorned truth of life," suggesting his attempt to capture the real, unvarnished nature of human experience, even in conflict. This sketch allows us to reflect on how societies perceive war and violence, and how artists interpret the human cost of conflict.