Figuurstudies en een hondenkop 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner created this sketch, "Figuurstudies en een hondenkop" which translates to "Figure Studies and a Dog's Head," at an unknown date. Breitner was working in Amsterdam during a time of rapid urbanization and social change. This sketch provides an intimate glimpse into Breitner's artistic process. Known for capturing the dynamism of city life and the lives of working-class women, here he shifts his gaze to more personal subjects: figures and a dog. The loose lines suggest a desire to capture fleeting moments and a sense of immediacy. Breitner was interested in portraying life as he saw it, without idealization. As he once stated, "Painting is seeing." The juxtaposition of human figures with the dog's head is particularly interesting. It invites us to consider the relationship between humans and animals. This sketch is a testament to Breitner's commitment to capturing the nuances of everyday life, blending the personal with the social in his artistic vision.