Gezicht op de Dam te Amsterdam 1893 - 1898

George Hendrik Breitner sketched this view of the Dam Square in Amsterdam with graphite on paper. At first glance, this drawing may seem like a simple street scene, but consider the horse, a symbol laden with historical weight. Throughout history, the horse has represented power, nobility, and the dynamic forces of life, appearing in classical friezes and Renaissance paintings alike. Think of the equestrian statues of emperors, or the steeds in Delacroix’s romantic scenes. Here, Breitner’s horse stands quietly amidst the urban bustle. It is no longer a symbol of triumph or aristocracy, but rather a working animal, a common sight in the city. This shift reflects a broader change in society, where traditional symbols are recontextualized in the face of modernity. The horse evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminding us of a bygone era even as it participates in the life of the modern city.