Landschap met wolkenlucht 1883 - 1885

This sketch of a 'Landscape with Cloudy Sky' was made with pencil by George Hendrik Breitner, sometime between 1880 and 1923, and is now held at the Rijksmuseum. Breitner was known for his depictions of Amsterdam and his affinity with the working class. This work speaks to the changing role of the artist in society, moving away from idealised academic painting and exploring a more subjective relationship with the world, documenting the everyday. In its apparent spontaneity, the sketch reflects the growing interest in Impressionism and the desire to capture the fleeting nature of modern life. In the Netherlands at this time, there was a strong realist tradition and a social consciousness that influenced artists like Breitner, though it is also worth remembering that institutions like the Rijksmuseum shaped the reception of art, establishing what was of national importance. To understand this work further, one could explore the Breitner archive and consider the role of museums in shaping artistic canons, reflecting on how social and institutional contexts influence art's creation and meaning.