Strijdende soldaten, deels te paard 1872 - 1879

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing, "Fighting Soldiers, Partly on Horseback," with pencil, and it is currently located in the Rijksmuseum. Breitner lived through a period of significant social change and increasing militarization in Europe. His works often captured the dynamism and intensity of urban life, reflecting a changing society marked by industrialization and shifting class structures. This drawing depicts a chaotic scene of soldiers engaged in combat, some mounted on horseback, capturing a sense of movement and disorder. Breitner seems to explore themes of masculinity and conflict. The loose sketch-like quality adds to the sense of immediacy and tension, inviting viewers to contemplate the human cost of war. Breitner’s decision to focus on the visceral, chaotic aspects of battle departs from traditional, glorified depictions of warfare, aligning with a broader trend of realism in art. It emphasizes the emotional and physical realities faced by soldiers.