Landschap met bomen of wolkenlucht 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner created this drawing, ‘Landschap met bomen of wolkenlucht’, using graphite on paper. Breitner lived through a time of significant social and economic change in the Netherlands. Rapid urbanization and industrialization led to new class structures and social tensions. Breitner, like many artists of his time, was interested in capturing the everyday life of the working class. As a Dutchman, Breitner would have been aware of the country's colonial past and its impact on global power dynamics. There is a sense of intimacy in this sketch, which departs from the traditions of landscape paintings, inviting the viewer into the artist's personal experience. Breitner was part of a generation that questioned traditional artistic and social norms, developing new ways to express their experiences and challenge established representations. This work reflects not only the external landscape but also the internal landscape of the artist. It captures a moment of observation and reflection.