DISCOVERART

George Hendrik Breitner

Construction Site in Amsterdam

c. 1902
oil on fabric
60.5 × 80.7 cm (23.8 × 31.8 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

View at clevelandart.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

A leader of the Dutch Impressionists, Breitner based this painting on a series of photographs he took of a construction site in Amsterdam. Although seemingly executed rapidly on site, the painting was in fact carefully composed in the studio. Aided by his own photographs and sketches, Breitner portrayed a city in transition. Like his friend Vincent van Gogh, Breitner admired naturalist literature and was determined to become a “painter of the people.”

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by George Hendrik Breitner

Lunchtime at the Building Site on the Van Diemenstraat in AmsterdamLunchtime at the Building Site on the Van Diemenstraat in AmGezicht op het Oosterpark in Amsterdam in de sneeuwGezicht op het Oosterpark in Amsterdam in de sneeuwGinger Pot wit AnemonesGinger Pot wit AnemonesDe Singelbrug bij de Paleisstraat in AmsterdamDe Singelbrug bij de Paleisstraat in AmsterdamSchepen in het ijsSchepen in het ijsHet Damrak in AmsterdamHet Damrak in AmsterdamThe Rokin, AmsterdamThe Rokin, AmsterdamNeighborhood Street in The Hague or ScheveningenNeighborhood Street in The Hague or Scheveningen

More like this

The Rokin, AmsterdamGeorge Hendrik Breitner — The Rokin, AmsterdamThe Demolition of the Grand Bazar de la Bourse on the Nieuwendijk, AmsterdamGeorge Hendrik Breitner — The Demolition of the Grand Bazar Winter in de Scheveningse bosjesAnton Mauve — Winter in de Scheveningse bosjesThe Vinkenbuurt near AmsterdamEduard Karsen — The Vinkenbuurt near AmsterdamSnow at SunsetClaude Monet — Snow at SunsetBouwterrein in AmsterdamGeorge Hendrik Breitner — Bouwterrein in AmsterdamWinter in AmsterdamGeorge Hendrik Breitner — Winter in AmsterdamVillage Street, Vétheuil.Claude Monet — Village Street, Vétheuil.The Casemates before Naarden, 1814Pieter Gerardus van Os — The Casemates before Naarden, 1814The FurnaceCarl Gaertner (American, 1898–1952) — The FurnaceHouses Seen from the BackVincent van Gogh — Houses Seen from the BackGezicht op het Oosterpark in Amsterdam in de sneeuwGeorge Hendrik Breitner — Gezicht op het Oosterpark in Amste