A cyclist on the Prinsengracht.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
George Hendrik Breitner was born in the Netherlands in 1857, and developed a talent for painting by the time he was in his twenties.
After encountering Impressionism during a stint in Paris, he became a leading figure of Amsterdam Impressionism, often sketching scenes of everyday life on the streets alongside his contemporary, Vincent Van Gogh (whose paintings Breitner later described as "coarse and distasteful”).
In the 1890s, he added photography to his repertoire, finding it to be a useful tool for capturing fleeting conditions and scenes for later reference.
Like his paintings, Breitner’s photos are concerned less with sharpness and fidelity than with motion and atmosphere.
The haphazard snaps never seem still, recording huddled and hurried pedestrians in the rain, the play of light on cobblestones, and the endless rush of working people from one task to another.
The Kolkje and Oudezijds Achterburgwal.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
A view of the Rokin.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
Children play in an alley.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
Four young women on the street in the Runstraat.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
Workers at the construction site of the Municipal Bath and Swimming Facility at the Heiligeweg.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
The intersection of Lindengracht and Lijnbaansgracht.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
A street vendor on the Rokin.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
View of the Prinsengracht at the bridge over the Leidsegracht.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
Workers on the Van Diemenstraat.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
A view of the Dam.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
Geldersekade and Geldersche quay.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
Children play in a sand dump near Prince Island.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
A carriage on the Dam.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
Blacksmiths work on shoeing a horse.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
Waalseilandsgracht seen from the Prince Hendrikkade.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
View of the Torensluis Bridge over the Singel Canal.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
A snowy view of the Damrak.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
A carriage on the Leidseplein.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
Children play near the entrance to Breitner's studio on Prince Island.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
A girl crosses a bridge on Prince Island.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
Portrait of a woman walking over the Prinsengracht.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
View of the Singel on a rainy day.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
A woman on the Spui.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
A view of the Raadhuisstraat.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
The Eenhoornsluis.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
View of Gasthuismolensteeg on the corner of the Herengracht.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
A cart dog takes a rest.
Image: George Henrik Breitner/Rijksmuseum via Europeana
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