Figuren op sleperswagens 1898 - 1902

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, "Figuren op sleperswagens," with black chalk on paper. Breitner, living between 1857 and 1923, operated in a time of significant industrial and social change in the Netherlands. His work offers glimpses into the lives of ordinary people amidst this transformation. This sketch provides a candid look into the working class, depicting figures on moving wagons. Breitner's choice to focus on this subject matter places the laboring class at the center of his artistic exploration. He was known for capturing the energy and movement of city life, often showing scenes that reflected the everyday experiences of people from different social strata. In his sketches, the fleeting moments he captures and the raw reality of daily life resonate with the grit and resilience of the working class. This piece prompts us to consider how economic and social changes impact individual lives, and how art can both document and humanize these experiences.