Building site (1890-1910)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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George Hendrik Breitner, renowned for his raw portrayal of urban scenes, captures the essence of an active building site from the late 19th to early 20th century in his painting, "Building Site." This evocative work provides a glimpse into the everyday activities amidst the urban transformation during that era.The scene is set against a backdrop of the skeletal framework of new buildings, hinting at a city in the throes of modernization. Dominating the foreground is a striking image of a workman leading a horse, a testament to the era's reliance on animal power alongside human labor. The horse, positioned prominently and painted with great attention to muscular detail and shading, is an embodiment of the strength and endurance required in such labor-intensive environments.To the right, the spread of the construction site reveals more workers engaged in various tasks. Some are indistinct, emphasizing the busy and chaotic nature of the site. The earthy tones and broad, expressive brushstrokes Breitner uses not only capture the physicality of the scene but also the gritty ambiance of the construction environment.This painting is a vivid document of its time, reflecting the industrial changes that were reshaping cities.
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George Hendrik Breitner (12 September 1857 – 5 June 1923) was a Dutch painter and photographer. An important figure in Amsterdam Impressionism, he is noted especially for his paintings of street scenes and harbours in a realistic style. He painted en plein air, and became interested in photography as a means of documenting street life and atmospheric effects – rainy weather in particular – as reference materials for his paintings.