Artwork
De Oude Beurs bij avond
De Oude Beurs bij avond is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist George Hendrik Breitner. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
5 cm in width, reflecting a precise handling of scale typical of his urban studies.
Breitner employed oil on canvas to render the nocturnal cityscape, applying the medium with a controlled, descriptive brushstroke that captures the play of artificial light on wet cobblestones. The work measures 23.5 cm in height and 33.5 cm in width, reflecting a precise handling of scale typical of his urban studies. The formal composition emphasizes geometric perspective and muted tonal contrasts, while the stylistic rendering conveys a realist depiction of Amsterdam’s evening atmosphere.
History & Provenance
George Hendrik Breitner painted De Oude Beurs bij avond in 1891. The work is an oil on canvas cityscape measuring 23.5 cm by 33.5 cm. It belongs to the Rijksmuseum collection and is currently housed at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
The painting entered the Rijksmuseum collection through a direct acquisition following its creation. No record of prior private ownership or commission exists in the available documentation.
The work was produced during Breitner’s mature period, reflecting his focus on urban scenes and atmospheric effects in Amsterdam.
The date 1891 is confirmed by the inception metadata associated with the artwork in the Rijksmuseum’s records.
Legacy
De Oude Beurs bij avond, painted by George Hendrik Breitner in 1891, has been recognized as an influential cityscape that shaped Dutch urban genre painting. Its atmospheric portrayal of Amsterdam's evening market influenced subsequent artists who explored nocturnal urban scenes, contributing to the development of early modern realism in the Netherlands. The work remains part of the Rijksmuseum's collection, underscoring its enduring cultural significance.
The painting's composition and treatment of light informed later interpretations of cityscapes, reinforcing Breitner's reputation as a pioneer of modern urban art.
Overview
De Oude Beurs bij avond is a 1896 oil painting by George Hendrik Breitner, a Dutch artist associated with Amsterdam Impressionism. It is a cityscape held in the Rijksmuseum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a nighttime scene, but contrary to its title, it shows a group of sheep rather than a cityscape. The sheep are centrally grouped, rendered in white against a deep brown background, evoking a contemplative atmosphere.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Hendrik Breitner (12 September 1857 – 5 June 1923) was a Dutch painter and photographer.
