Twee aangespannen paarden 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner made this pencil drawing of two horses in the Netherlands, sometime between 1880 and 1920. In this period, the Netherlands was rapidly industrializing, and horses were a common sight in the city, used for transportation and labor. Breitner was known for his interest in depicting the working class and urban life. His quick sketch captures the movement and energy of the horses, and it also reflects his interest in capturing the everyday life of the city. Horses had long been a feature of the art world, but in the late 19th century, some artists began to show them not as symbols of wealth or power, but rather as working animals. To understand this drawing fully, we could look at photographs and other documents from the time. These resources help us to understand the social and economic context in which Breitner was working, and what the role of art was in society at the time.