Gezicht op een straat in Amsterdam met figuren 1893 - 1894

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of an Amsterdam street with charcoal on paper. Breitner belonged to a group of Dutch artists known as the Amsterdam Impressionists, who aimed to capture the fleeting moments of everyday urban life. In the late 19th century, Amsterdam was undergoing rapid urbanization and industrialization, leading to significant social changes. Breitner's sketch offers a glimpse into this dynamic environment. The hurried lines and focus on figures within the street hint at the changing social landscape of the time. Breitner's choice of subject matter reflects a progressive outlook, turning away from traditional academic themes to engage with contemporary life. Art historians often consult city records, photographs, and social commentaries of the time to better understand Breitner's work and its relationship to the broader cultural context of Amsterdam in the late 19th century.