Artwork
Hussars in the Open Field
Hussars in the Open Field is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist George Hendrik Breitner. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents the equine figure as the focal point of the narrative, representing the presence of cavalry in a natural environment.
George Hendrik Breitner's 1901 painting, Hussars in the Open Field, depicts a scene centered on a horse. The work captures the animal as its primary subject within an open setting, consistent with the artist's frequent focus on military life and urban or field scenes. The composition presents the equine figure as the focal point of the narrative, representing the presence of cavalry in a natural environment.
The title explicitly identifies the military unit, the Hussars, suggesting the horse is part of a mounted regiment, though the specific actions or broader symbolism of the soldiers are not detailed in the available records.
Technique & Style
Hussars in the Open Field is an oil painting executed on panel, a small-scale support measuring 10.5 cm in height by 23.5 cm in width. The horizontal panel format suits the open-field subject of mounted horsemen. The work is classified as a painting and belongs to the Rijksmuseum collection.
The narrow, elongated format and modest dimensions are characteristic of Breitner's small panel studies from this period, suited to rapid, on-the-spot observation of military subjects in the landscape.
History & Provenance
The painting Hussars in the Open Field was created by George Hendrik Breitner in 1901, as confirmed by both internal documentation and Wikidata.
It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains located. The work is executed in oil on panel, with dimensions recorded as 10.5 cm in height and 23.5 cm in width.
George Hendrik Breitner's painting Hussars in the Open Field is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The work, executed in oil on panel in 1901, depicts a scene involving horses. While the museum houses the piece, the provided sources do not list a specific inventory or accession number for this entry. Furthermore, no exhibition history is recorded in the available documentation regarding this specific artwork.
Overview
Created in 1901, this oil painting by Dutch artist George Hendrik Breitner depicts a group of six cavalrymen charging across a meadow. The composition centers on the dynamic motion of the riders and their horses, set against a muted sky and a field rendered in brisk strokes of yellow and green.
Context
Breitner, known for his realistic street and harbor scenes, often incorporated photographic studies into his practice to capture fleeting atmospheric conditions. Though primarily a city painter, this work extends his interest in movement and light to a military subject, aligning with the broader Impressionist fascination with contemporary life.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Hendrik Breitner (12 September 1857 – 5 June 1923) was a Dutch painter and photographer.
