Figuurstudie en een stadsgezicht 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner created this sketch, “Figure Study and a Cityscape,” using graphite on paper. Here, we see a juxtaposition of two distinct subjects: a figure, perhaps a woman, and a cityscape, both rendered with swift, energetic lines. The cityscape, with its implied architectural forms, echoes the urban landscapes found in various periods. In the ancient world, cities were symbols of civilization and order, later echoed in medieval and Renaissance art as emblems of human achievement. In Breitner's sketch, the cityscape is reduced to its basic essence, yet it retains its symbolic weight, representing human presence and activity. The figure study above might evoke associations with classical sculptures or Renaissance portraits, where the human form embodied ideals of beauty and virtue. This form appears fragmented, reflecting the modern era’s preoccupation with the fleeting and the incomplete. The juxtaposition suggests a dialogue between the timeless human figure and the transient nature of urban life.