Huizen aan het Leidseplein te Amsterdam c. 1895 - 1898

George Hendrik Breitner sketched "Huizen aan het Leidseplein te Amsterdam" with black chalk on paper. The composition is dominated by a cluster of linear forms, suggesting buildings. These shapes intersect and overlap, creating a dense network of lines that evoke a sense of urban complexity. Breitner’s sketch employs a minimalist approach, reducing architectural elements to their most basic forms. The buildings aren’t precisely represented but are instead deconstructed into geometric abstractions. This fragmentation reflects early modernism's interest in breaking down traditional representation, mirroring the way cubism dismantled objects into multiple viewpoints. The monochromatic palette strips away any representational associations with color, directing our attention to line and form alone. By focusing on the stark geometry of urban structures, the drawing speaks to the emerging urban landscape and its impact on perception. The sketch invites us to consider how simple lines can convey complex ideas about space, architecture, and modernity.