George Hendrik Breitner

W.A. Engelbrecht, Rotterdam, 1916

C.G. Vattier Kraane, Aerdenhout

Gallery Frans Jacobs, Amsterdam

Acquired from the above by the former owner in January 1998

Amsterdam, E.J. van Wisselingh & Co., Tentoonstelling van werken door G.H. Breitner, 1916, no. 42

Laren, Singer Museum Laren, G.H. Breitner 1857-1923: aquarellen en tekeningen, 1983, no. 40, p. 30, illustrated

Amsterdam, Gallery Frans Jacobs, Veranderend Amsterdam, 1997

The city of Amsterdam was an inexhaustible source of inspiration to George Hendrik Breitner. In the present work, he expertly captures the view from his studio on the Prinseneiland in Amsterdam which faced the Nieuwe Teertuinen (where highly flammable tar was stored). Breitner moved to this address in 1898 and remained there until 1914. Several other watercolours, paintings and photographs show the exact same view from the window of his studio. The restrained palette gives this large work a photographic dimension, which is no coincidence as Breitner had long considered photography as an integral part of his artistic process.

In 1901 Breitner was the subject of a one-man-show at the artists' society Arti et Amicitiae in Amsterdam, a rare accolade for a living artist. 

Another version of this composition sold at Christie's on 15 April 2008 (€110,650) from the collection of Prof. W.H. Drucker.