Buste van een man en vogels, mogelijk halsbandparkieten c. 1882

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of a man and birds, possibly rose-ringed parakeets, using graphite. Breitner, living from 1857 to 1923, worked in a time when the Netherlands was rapidly urbanizing. His art often reflected the daily life of Amsterdam, capturing fleeting moments and ordinary people. This sketch, while seemingly simple, could reflect the changing relationship between humans and nature in an urbanizing world. The presence of parakeets—not native to the Netherlands—might hint at the introduction of exotic elements into the local ecosystem, a common occurrence during periods of increased global trade and travel. Understanding this sketch requires a look at the socio-economic context of the Netherlands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By researching the history of urbanization, the introduction of non-native species, and the art institutions that supported artists like Breitner, we can better understand the meanings embedded in this seemingly straightforward sketch.