Gezicht op huizen in Scheveningen en paardenbenen 1880 - 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this pencil sketch of houses in Scheveningen and horse legs at an unknown date. Breitner was a key figure in the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, capturing everyday life with a raw, unflinching honesty. He was deeply interested in portraying the working class and the urban environment around him. The sketch gives us insight into the social dynamics of the time; the presence of horse legs suggests the reliance on animals for transport and labor, which were very common at the time. Breitner had an ability to capture the emotional weight of modern life. His work often challenges the traditional idealized representations of the Dutch Golden Age, opting for a more realistic and gritty depiction of society. His approach allows us to consider the lives of ordinary people and reflect on the changing social landscape of the late 19th century.