Studie 1883 - 1885

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, likely on paper with charcoal or graphite, during the late 19th or early 20th century in the Netherlands. It appears to be a preparatory study, perhaps for a larger composition, which was common practice in academic art. The sketch offers us a glimpse into the artist's process, highlighting the institutional conventions of art training at the time. Breitner was known for his interest in depicting the working class and urban life of Amsterdam. How might these influences of modern life appear in other drawings? Were these people around him? By studying archival material such as letters, exhibition catalogs, and reviews, we can better understand the artistic and social context in which Breitner operated. The art historian uses such resources to interpret the meaning and significance of art as shaped by the world around it.