Paardentrams, mogelijk op de Dam te Amsterdam c. 1895 - 1898

This is a drawing titled ‘Paardentrams, mogelijk op de Dam te Amsterdam’ by George Hendrik Breitner. Note how Breitner uses stark lines and simple shapes, creating an almost ghostly impression of Amsterdam. The composition’s fragmented nature rejects traditional artistic conventions, mirroring the chaotic and rapidly changing urban landscape of the late 19th century. There is an emphasis on capturing fleeting moments with quick, gestural marks. The unfinished quality destabilizes any fixed representation, pointing instead to the provisional and transient nature of modern life. Breitner isn't just depicting a scene, he is also deconstructing the very act of seeing, urging us to question the stability of our perceptions and the limitations of representation. The lack of detail invites the viewer to complete the image, engaging in an active interpretation.