Studieblad met vrouwen c. 1886 - 1923

Here we see "Studieblad met vrouwen," a sketch by George Hendrik Breitner, rendered with a soft yet assertive charcoal. Breitner, working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, captured Amsterdam's evolving urban life with striking realism. This sketch gives us a glimpse into Breitner's process, revealing his interest in the female figure. During this time, the representation of women was fraught with societal expectations and constraints. While he was known for his street photography and documentary-style paintings, in this study, Breitner seems to be capturing the quiet, interior lives of women. The women in this sketch—one with eyes closed, lost in thought, another caught in a moment of repose—invite us to consider their individual stories. The sketch is not just an aesthetic exercise but a study of the human condition, of the myriad ways women navigate their lives. It asks us to look beyond the surface and see the depth and complexity within.