Gezicht op de Noordermarkt met de Noorderkerk te Amsterdam c. 1900 - 1923

This sketch of the Noorderkerk and Noordermarkt in Amsterdam was drawn by George Hendrik Breitner sometime between 1880 and 1920. Breitner was known for his depictions of working-class life and the urban landscapes of Amsterdam. The quick, sparse lines of the sketch offer a glimpse into the artist’s process of observing and capturing a scene from everyday life. Here is a bustling marketplace, framed by the stoic architecture of the Noorderkerk. The sketch is less about architectural detail and more about the energy of the space. This approach reflects Breitner’s desire to capture the real, unvarnished experiences of urban life, a theme which resonates with the social concerns of his time. Breitner’s work often grappled with themes of modernity, class, and the changing social fabric of the Netherlands. What do you feel when you look at this work? How does this connect you to the lives of those who walked through this market?