The Kalkmarkt in winter, Amsterdam

Breitner started his artistic training at The Hague Academy in 1876. Under the influence of The Hague School painters and their new realistic approach to nature, Breitner developed a modern and impulsive style of his own and was soon considered an extraordinary talent by fellow artist. However, dissatisfied with the cultural climate in The Hague and drawn to the dynamic and inspiring city of Amsterdam, Breitner left The Hague for Amsterdam in 1886. The bustling city life of Amsterdam is a recurring subject in Breitners oeuvre, of which the present lot is a fine example. Here Breitner was often found wandering the streets with his sketchbook and camera to capture the daily lives of construction workers, labourers, maidservants and playing children.

As an ambitious painter of modern life, Breitner, along with Isaac Israels (1865-1934) became one of the leading figures of the Amsterdam impressionist movement. As ‘le Peintre du peuple’, he didn’t want to paint classic themes or make realistic historical paintings in an academic manner, foremost he wanted to depict everyday life. Breitner was of the believe that conveying an impression was painting at its purest, the eye does the rest, he would capture fleeting fragments in time on paper or on canvas with vigorous brushstrokes.

Depicted in the present lot is the Kalkmarkt (the lime market) in winter with boats near the quay. The Kalkmarkt used to be the place where Frisian lime and stone shippers brought their cargoes to the market until the end of the 18th century. The lime was then used as masonry lime for the buildings in the fast-growing Amsterdam.