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Historical Artist - George Hendrik Breitner (1857 - 1923)
George Hendrik Breitner was born in Rotterdam and first studied in The Hague. His early work
primarily depicted military and cavalry subjects. After visiting Paris in 1884, his work took on
an Impressionist approach. Two years later, Breitner moved to Amsterdam where he painted his
famous harbor scenes, cityscapes, and scenes of street life. He also took an interest in
photography. In 1910, illness forced him to abandon painting. Although Breitner exhibited abroad
early on, his fame never crossed the borders of the Netherlands. At the time foreign interest
was more for anecdotal and picturesque works; the typical "Dutchness" of the Hague
School. As time went by critics lost interest in Breitner. The younger generation regarded
impressionism as too superficial. They aspired to a more elevated and spiritual form of art, but
Breitner did not allow himself to be influenced by these new artistic trends. Breitner has also
the honours of being one of the few Dutch painters who is being referred to in a Dutch saying in
Amsterdam: when the streets of Amsterdam are grey and rainy, people of Amsterdam whisper grimly
"Echt Breitnerweer" (Typical Breitnerweather).
Contemporary Dutch Artists
Art Galleries in the Netherlands
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