Studie, mogelijk een figuurstudie c. 1880 - 1906

This graphite drawing of a figure study was created by George Hendrik Breitner. Breitner was a Dutch painter and photographer known for his depictions of urban life in Amsterdam during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This study, with its quick, gestural lines, may have served as preparation for a larger painting or print. It gives us insight into the artistic process, and how artists use sketching to capture movement and form. In this context, art academies and artists' societies often emphasized the importance of drawing from life as a foundational skill. Breitner's loose and expressive style also reflects the growing interest in capturing the fleeting moments of modern life. To understand more about Breitner's work, we can look at photographs of Amsterdam during his time, and exhibition catalogs from galleries where he showed. By examining this drawing in its historical and institutional context, we can gain a deeper understanding of its significance and the role of art in shaping perceptions of modern life.