Paarden en een bloem 1880 - 1882

This is ‘Paarden en een bloem’, or ‘Horses and a flower’, a sketch made by George Hendrik Breitner, though the exact date of creation is unknown. Breitner was a Dutch painter and photographer associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, known for his gritty depictions of urban life. Here, the juxtaposition of horses with a flower can be interpreted as an expression of the diverse elements coexisting within urban settings. Breitner’s emotional connection to his subjects is evident in his attempt to capture fleeting moments and raw, unvarnished reality. While he broke from traditional, idealized representations, Breitner's work can be seen as contributing to the evolving narrative of Dutch art. The sketch serves as an intimate glimpse into Breitner's artistic process. It captures his personal experience with the rapidly changing urban environment and his attempt to reconcile the natural with the industrial.