Zittende man, in profiel c. 1886 - 1890

George Hendrik Breitner sketched "Zittende man, in profiel" using graphite on paper. Breitner, living from 1857 to 1923, was deeply engaged with representing the daily life of the working class and the urban experience in Amsterdam. This drawing offers a glimpse into Breitner's social concerns, capturing a subject with visible weariness, seated in profile. It prompts us to consider the conditions and stories of the working class in the Netherlands at that time. The sketch departs from traditional, idealized portraiture, instead focusing on a raw, unfiltered representation of an individual. Breitner once said, "I see beauty in the everyday street scene." His commitment to portraying ordinary people reflects a broader movement in art towards realism and a focus on social issues. The emotional weight of the piece lies in the contrast between the man's apparent fatigue and the artist's careful attention to detail. It serves as both a historical document and a deeply personal reflection on the human condition.