Stadsgezicht met een ophaalbrug 1887 - 1889

This sketch of a city view with a drawbridge by George Hendrik Breitner captures a moment in time with simple lines on paper. The bridge itself, a motif that stretches back to ancient times, appears here not just as a physical structure but as a symbol of transition and connection. Think of bridges depicted in medieval allegories, representing the passage from earthly life to the afterlife, or the perilous 'Bridge of Sighs' in Venice, a passage between justice and imprisonment. Here, the drawbridge is a dynamic element, poised between states, hinting at the ever-changing nature of urban life. This symbol has traveled through time, reappearing in various forms, from triumphal arches to humble crossings. The act of crossing a bridge can represent a psychological journey. The bridge in Breitner's sketch may evoke a sense of anticipation and the unknown, a fleeting glimpse into the collective memory of human movement and transformation.