Studie 1884 - 1886

This is a charcoal sketch by George Hendrik Breitner, part of a larger collection of studies held at the Rijksmuseum. Breitner was working in Amsterdam at a time of rapid social and economic change. As the city grew, so did the divide between rich and poor. Breitner turned away from traditional landscape painting towards depictions of working-class life. What might these figures represent? Are they fellow artists or members of the public? What can we learn from their clothing and attitude? Breitner was part of a generation who wanted to challenge the established art world and, as a result, his paintings, drawings, and photographs offer a glimpse into a world that was often ignored by the cultural elite. Art historians consult a wide range of sources, including letters, diaries, newspapers, and institutional records, to understand the social conditions that shape artistic production. By placing art in its historical context, we can better understand its meaning and relevance to the world around us.