Wolkenlucht 1896 - 1897

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of cloudscapes with pencil on paper. Breitner was a key figure in the Amsterdam Impressionism movement in the Netherlands. Now, Impressionism wasn’t just about painting pretty pictures. It was a radical shift in how artists saw and represented the world. Breitner and his contemporaries were less interested in historical or mythological themes. Instead, they focused on capturing fleeting moments of everyday life, particularly in urban environments. The loose brushstrokes and emphasis on light and atmosphere reflected the changing pace of modern life and a shift away from academic traditions. Breitner, who lived from 1857 to 1923, would have been aware of the rise of photography, so his approach to sketching might have been influenced by the instantaneousness that photography afforded. To better understand Breitner’s role in the art world, researchers might consult exhibition reviews, artists’ letters, and other documentary evidence. The meaning of art is always rooted in the specific conditions of its making.