Gezicht in Amsterdam c. 1902 - 1914

George Hendrik Breitner sketched this view in Amsterdam using graphite on paper. Breitner was known for his intimate connection to Amsterdam and for capturing the city's atmosphere. Breitner positioned himself as a painter of the common people, focusing on their everyday experiences. He moved away from traditional, idealized representations of the city, depicting Amsterdam as a gritty and dynamic environment. Breitner said he wanted to capture "the grey, the constantly changing colors in the air." This sketch invites you to contemplate the lives of the working class and consider how their stories often remain untold in mainstream historical narratives. Breitner’s work allows us to reflect on the disparities that persist in urban environments. The sketch invites us to consider the emotional weight of a city, shaped by both its inhabitants and its physical structures.