Sleepboot in een gracht c. 1886 - 1923

George Hendrik Breitner sketched this towboat in a canal with graphite. Breitner was an Amsterdam Impressionist, a member of a group of artists who captured the everyday life of the Netherlands in the late 19th century. As industrialization increased in the Netherlands, and Amsterdam became a vital port city, canals became busier. You can see in this sketch how Breitner was drawn to this burgeoning industry. It depicts working life and the way it was changing the urban landscape. Breitner was fascinated by capturing fleeting moments, and his sketch-like style reflected this interest. As art historians, we can consult city archives, newspaper articles, and photographs from that time to further explore the changing urban landscape and the lives of the working class in Amsterdam. By combining art historical analysis with social and economic context, we can get a better understanding of the cultural significance of this image.