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George Hendrik Breitner Sold at Auction Prices

Painter, Water colorist, Photographer, b. 1857 - d. 1923

George Hendrik Breitner (12 September 1857 – 5 June 1923) was a Dutch painter and photographer. An important figure in Amsterdam Impressionism, he is noted especially for his paintings of street scenes and harbours in a realistic style. He painted en plein air, and became interested in photography as a means of documenting street life and atmospheric effects – rainy weather in particular – as reference materials for his paintings.

George Hendrik Breitner was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands. From 1876 to 1880 he attended the Art Academy in The Hague where his extraordinary talent was rewarded on various occasions. From October 1878 till April 1879 he worked as an art teacher at the Leiden academy Ars Aemula Naturae. In 1880 he was expelled from the Art Academy of The Hague for misconduct, because he had destroyed the regulations-board. In the same year he lived at landscapist Willem Maris's place at Loosduinen and was accepted as a member of Pulchri Studio, an important artist's society in The Hague. Later, he distanced himself from the Hague School and today he is generally regarded as an Amsterdam Impressionist.

During 1880–1881 he worked at the famous Panorama Mesdag together with Hendrik Mesdag, S. Mesdag-van Houten, Theophile de Bock and Barend Blommers. In 1882 he met and worked together with Vincent van Gogh, with whom he often went sketching in the poorer areas of The Hague. Breitner preferred working-class models: labourers, servant girls and people from the lower class districts. Interest in the lot of the common people, which many artists felt in that period, was nurtured by the social conscience of French writers such as Émile Zola.

He was associated with the Dutch literary group known as the Tachtigers (English translation: "Eighty-ers"). This was a group that championed impressionism and naturalism against romanticism, influencing other painters such as Isaac Israëls, Willem Witsen, and poets like Willem Kloos.
Meisje in de witte kimono (1894), Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

In 1886, he entered the Rijksakademie of Amsterdam, but soon it became clear that Breitner was far beyond the level of education offered there.
The Dam, Amsterdam (c.1895), watercolor, 40 x 51 cm, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Breitner saw himself as "le peintre du peuple", the people's painter. He was the painter of city views par excellence: wooden foundation piles by the harbour, demolition work and construction sites in the old centre, horse trams on the Dam, or canals in the rain. With his nervous brush strokes, he captured the dynamic street life. By 1890, cameras were affordable, and Breitner had a much better instrument to satisfy his ambitions. He became very interested in capturing movement and illumination in the city, and became a master in doing this. It is not impossible that Breitner's preference for cloudy weather conditions and a greyish and brownish palette resulted from certain limitations of the photographic material.

Breitner also painted female nudes, but just like Rembrandt he was criticized because his nudes were painted too realistically and did not resemble the common ideal of beauty. In his own time Breitner's paintings were admired by artists and art lovers, but often despised by the Dutch art critics for their raw and realistic nature.

By the turn of the century Breitner was a famous painter in the Netherlands, as demonstrated by a highly successful retrospective exhibition at Arti et Amicitiae in Amsterdam (1901). Breitner travelled frequently in the last decades of his life, visiting Paris, London, and Berlin, among other cities, and continued to take photographs. In 1909 he went to the United States as a member of the jury for the Carnegie International Exhibition in Pittsburgh.

Although Breitner exhibited abroad early on, his fame never crossed the borders of the Netherlands. At the time foreign interest was more for anecdotal and picturesque works; the typical "Dutchness" of the Hague School. As time went by critics lost interest in Breitner. The younger generation regarded impressionism as too superficial. They aspired to a more elevated and spiritual form of art, but Breitner did not allow himself to be influenced by these new artistic trends. Around 1905–1910 pointillism as practised by Jan Sluyters, Piet Mondrian and Leo Gestel was flourishing. Between 1911 and 1914 all the latest art movements arrived in the Netherlands one after another including cubism, futurism and expressionism. Breitner's role as contemporary historical painter was finished.

Breitner had only two pupils, Kees Maks (1876–1967) and Marie Henrie Mackenzie (1878–1961).

He died on 5 June 1923 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

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          • George Hendrik Breitner, Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdamsold
            Sep. 12, 2023

            George Hendrik Breitner, Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdam

            Est: £2,000 - £3,000

            George Hendrik Breitner, Dutch 1857-1923 - Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdam; oil on canvas, signed lower left 'G.H. Breitner', 35.4 x 45.5 cm (unframed) Note: Breitner was an important Dutch Impressionist painter, engraver and photographer, depicting the streets and life of Amsterdam. He considered himself a people's painter, often capturing the same scene in different weather conditions. In 1882, he met Vincent Van Gogh through his brother Theo, and the two would sketch the working class district of the Hague together. He also painted with Isaac Israels, which was explored in a recent exhibition at the Kunstmuseum den Haag, 'Breitner vs Israels'. His works are in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, including sketches and a photograph of the Nieuwmarkt, as well as the British Museum. 

            Roseberys
          • George Hendrik Breitner, Holland (1857-1923) Signed Watercolor Painting on Papersold
            Sep. 10, 2023

            George Hendrik Breitner, Holland (1857-1923) Signed Watercolor Painting on Paper

            Est: $100 - $150

            George Hendrik Breitner, Holland (1857-1923). Signed Watercolor Painting on Paper "Construction of a Pier". Framed Under Glass. Not Examined Out of Frame. Condition: Generally Good. Dimensions: Sight- 12.25" x 8.75", Frame- 20.75" x 17.75". Provenance: From a New Jersey Home. Please note the absence of a Condition Report does not imply that there are no condition issues with this lot. Please contact us for a detailed Condition Report. It is the Buyer's responsibility to inspect each lot and deem their own opinions on Condition, Description, Provenance, and Validity before purchasing. Please make an appointment to preview or ask for Condition Reports. Condition Reports are rendered as an opinion by the staff of the Auction House and not as statements of fact. REMEMBER ALL SALES ARE FINAL AND ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS-IS, WHERE IS.

            World Auction Gallery
          • GH Breitner, Figures on Dam, New Church at Eveningsold
            Jul. 06, 2023

            GH Breitner, Figures on Dam, New Church at Evening

            Est: -

            Georg Hendrik Breitner. 1857 - 1923. Figures on Dam, New Church at night. India ink on paper. Dimensions: H 20.5 x W 13 cm. In good condition.

            Twents Veilinghuis
          • toegeschreven aan George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923) Strandgezicht met paasold
            Jun. 27, 2023

            toegeschreven aan George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923) Strandgezicht met paa

            Est: €1,500 - €2,500

            toegeschreven aan George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923) Strandgezicht met paarden in de branding, niet gesigneerd, aquarel, 37,7 x 33,6 cm

            Veilinghuis Van Spengen
          • GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER,  DUTCH 1857-1923 -  NIEUWMARKT, AMSTERDAM;  OIL ON CANVAS, SIGNED LOWER Lsold
            Jun. 06, 2023

            GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER,  DUTCH 1857-1923 -  NIEUWMARKT, AMSTERDAM;  OIL ON CANVAS, SIGNED LOWER L

            Est: £3,000 - £5,000

            George Hendrik Breitner,  Dutch 1857-1923 -  Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdam;  oil on canvas, signed lower left 'G.H. Breitner', 35.4 x 45.5 cm (unframed)  Note:  Breitner was an important Dutch Impressionist painter, engraver and photographer, depicting the streets and life of Amsterdam. He considered himself a people's painter, often capturing the same scene in different weather conditions. In 1882, he met Vincent Van Gogh through his brother Theo, and the two would sketch the working class district of the Hague together. He also painted with Isaac Israels, which was explored in a recent exhibition at the Kunstmuseum den Haag, 'Breitner vs Israels'.  His works are in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, including sketches and a photograph of the Nieuwmarkt, as well as the British Museum. 

            Roseberys
          • George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923), A street scene by eveningsold
            May. 24, 2023

            George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923), A street scene by evening

            Est: €3,000 - €5,000

            George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923), A street scene by evening, signed 'GH Breitner' (lower left), oil on canvas, unframed, 100x85 cm, Provenance:-Collection E. van den Bosch; His auction, Breckpot, Antwerp, 21 December 1936, lot 166.-Collection C. de Groot, Heemstede, 1978.

            Venduehuis der Notarissen
          • George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923), Three girlssold
            May. 24, 2023

            George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923), Three girls

            Est: €2,000 - €3,000

            George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923), Three girls, signed with initials 'G.HB' (lower right), black chalk on paper, 52x34 cm, Provenance:  -Kunsthandel Frans Buffa & Zonen, Amsterdam, 'Tentoonstelling G.H. Breitner', November 1928, no. 95, as: 'Drie meisjes'.-Acquired from the above by Mr R. v. Geldern, Maastricht.-Auction, Sotheby's, Amsterdam, 15 April 2003, lot 221. Executed circa 1905.

            Venduehuis der Notarissen
          • Georg Hendrik BREITNER (1857-1923) 'Snow in Den Haag' oil on canvas. (W:34 x H:25 cm)sold
            May. 10, 2023

            Georg Hendrik BREITNER (1857-1923) 'Snow in Den Haag' oil on canvas. (W:34 x H:25 cm)

            Est: €2,000 - €3,000

            Georg Hendrik BREITNER (1857-1923) 'Snow in Den Haag' A painting, oil on canvas.  Signed lower left. Condition report: The painting should be cleaned as the varnish has turned yellow.  Otherwise in our opinion in good condition.  Dimensions: (W:34 x H:25 cm)

            Flanders Auctions
          • Painting, George Hendrik Breitnersold
            Dec. 18, 2022

            Painting, George Hendrik Breitner

            Est: $1,000 - $1,500

            George Hendrik Breitner (Dutch, 1857-1923), "Folklore," oil on board, initialed lower left, sight: 7.5"h x 9.5"w, overall (with frame): 15"h x 17"w. Note: Certificate of authenticity from Collier Art Corporation,1978, affixed verso.

            Clars Auction Gallery
          • Huile sur toile marouflée sur panneau d'unalit "Ru…sold
            Dec. 14, 2022

            Huile sur toile marouflée sur panneau d'unalit "Ru…

            Est: €1,200 - €1,800

            Huile sur toile marouflée sur panneau d'unalit "Ruelle animée en Hollande". Signé en bas à droite G.-H. Breitner. Ecole hollandaise. Dim.:+/-27,5x21cm.

            Vanderkindere
          • GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (1857-1923)sold
            Dec. 12, 2022

            GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (1857-1923)

            Est: €18,000 - €24,000

            View of the Oudezijds Achterburgwal, Amsterdam Signed lower right Oil on canvas, 75.8 x 50.9 cm Provenance: - Collection Mr. M. Zwart, Rotterdam - Private collection, The Netherlands - Auction AAG Auctioneers, Amsterdam, 26 May 2013, lot 60 - Private collection, The Netherlands Note: George Hendrik Breitner was born in 1857 in Rotterdam. In 1876, he was admitted to the Academy in The Hague, after which he was allowed to work in the studio of Willem Maris for a period of one year. During this early period, he was influenced by the painters of the Hague School. Breitner had a preference for working with models from the lower classes: labourers, maids, and the inhabitants of the working-class quarters, and viewed himself as ‘Le peintre du peuple’ (painter of the people). In 1886, he moved to Amsterdam, where he recorded city life in sketches, paintings, and photographs. He sometimes depicted a particular subject several times, seen from various viewpoints and in different weather conditions. His photographs often served as a direct example for a particular painting, as can be seen from this work on offer. Depicted in this painting is the Oudezijds Achterburgwal in the city centre of Amsterdam, looking north towards the bridge before the Spooksteeg. The buildings on the right, are the back facades of the Zeedijk houses. The rhythm of the houses at Oudezijds Achterburgwal and the reflections of these houses that blur in the water, captivated this artist. Breitner often worked together with Isaac Israels, resulting in a special friendship. Both painters are considered important Amsterdam Impressionists. Second photo: G.H. Breitner - Oudezijds Achterburgwal 18-14 en lager (1894-1898) © Stadsarchief Amsterdam * Condition report available upon request

            AAG Auctioneers
          • GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (1857-1923)sold
            Dec. 12, 2022

            GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (1857-1923)

            Est: €20,000 - €30,000

            The Construction of Amsterdam-Zuid, the Rijksmuseum and Concertgebouw in the Distance Signed lower right Oil on panel, 55.4 x 78.6 cm Provenance: Private collection, the Netherlands Note: Fascinated by construction sites, George Hendrik Breitner was a master at portraying the city in transition. Of the many photographs and paintings he made of building areas, this present lot is particularly remarkable and unique in its kind, because Amsterdam’s most celebrated and culturally significant monuments are depicted. The construction of the Amsterdam Royal Concertgebouw, the white building to the right of the centre, began in 1883 in a pasture that was, at that time, situated outside of the city centre. This took place one year after the official opening of the Rijksmuseum, which is depicted on the right side of the horizon. This painting gives an accurate and unique view of how the two historic buildings rose above the meadows; the area which is now known as Amsterdam-Zuid. * Condition report available upon request

            AAG Auctioneers
          • GEORG HENDRIK BREITNER (1857 - 1923), ATTRIBUTED TOsold
            Dec. 05, 2022

            GEORG HENDRIK BREITNER (1857 - 1923), ATTRIBUTED TO

            Est: €1,800 - €2,000

            Georg Hendrik BREITNER (1857 - 1923), attributed to View of a canal in Amsterdam oil on canvas, monogrammed lower left framed, lacuna in the lower left H: 20 cm W: 26 cm

            Haynault
          • Breitner, G.H. (Dutch 1857-1923) Houthavens in de winter in Amsterdamsold
            Nov. 28, 2022

            Breitner, G.H. (Dutch 1857-1923) Houthavens in de winter in Amsterdam

            Est: €8,500 - €10,000

            Breitner, G.H. (Dutch 1857-1923) Houthavens in de winter in Amsterdam olie op doek 50 x 70 cm ges. l.o. Check your bidlimit

            Zuydwal Veilingen
          • George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923)sold
            Nov. 16, 2022

            George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923)

            Est: €4,000 - €6,000

            George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923), Chrysanthemums in a Westerwald pot, watercolour and gouache on paper, 50x31,5 cm, Provenance: -Collection Johan Hendrik van Mastenbroek., signed 'G.H. Breitner' (lower left),

            Venduehuis der Notarissen
          • GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (Dutch. 1857-1923) PAINTINGsold
            Oct. 22, 2022

            GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (Dutch. 1857-1923) PAINTING

            Est: $300 - $500

            Well Dressed Family Outing. Initialed/monogrammed lower right. Oil on Panel. 10 by 8 in., overall 13.75 by 11.5 in.

            Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches
          • GEORG HENDRIK BREITNER (1857 - 1923), ATTRIBUTED TOsold
            Oct. 10, 2022

            GEORG HENDRIK BREITNER (1857 - 1923), ATTRIBUTED TO

            Est: €2,000 - €3,000

            Georg Hendrik BREITNER (1857 - 1923), attributed to View of a canal in Amsterdam oil on canvas, monogrammed lower left framed, lacuna in the lower left H: 20 cm W: 26 cm

            Haynault
          • Breitner: zwei Frauen und Mädchen/ three figuressold
            Oct. 06, 2022

            Breitner: zwei Frauen und Mädchen/ three figures

            Est: -

            Breitner, Georg Hendrik. 1857 Rotterdam - 1923 Amsterdam. Straßenszene mit Blumenverkäuferin und Frau mit Kind, Öl auf Holz, li. u. monogr., verso v. fremder Hand bezeichnet, 30 x 24,5 cm. Rahmen 35,5 x 30 cm Seller of flowers, woman and girl, oil/ wooden panel, monogram lower left, enscribed at reverse. Framed. 35,5 x 30 cm (size incl. frame)

            Kunstauktionshaus Günther
          • GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (1857-1923) A busy day in the Kalverstraat, Amsterdsold
            Oct. 05, 2022

            GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (1857-1923) A busy day in the Kalverstraat, Amsterd

            Est: €50,000 - €70,000

            GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (1857-1923) A busy day in the Kalverstraat, Amsterdam oil on canvas 75 x 50.5 cm.

            Christie's
          • GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (1857-1923) Twee Waspitten chalk and gouache on papsold
            Oct. 05, 2022

            GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (1857-1923) Twee Waspitten chalk and gouache on pap

            Est: €8,000 - €12,000

            GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (1857-1923) Twee Waspitten chalk and gouache on paper 610 x 420 mm.

            Christie's
          • Georg Hendrik BREITNER (1857-1923) 'Snow in Den Haag' oil on canvas. (W: 34 x H: 25 cm)sold
            Sep. 21, 2022

            Georg Hendrik BREITNER (1857-1923) 'Snow in Den Haag' oil on canvas. (W: 34 x H: 25 cm)

            Est: €4,000 - €6,000

            Georg Hendrik BREITNER (1857-1923) 'Snow in Den Haag' a painting, oil on canvas.  Dimensions: (W: 34 x H: 25 cm)

            Flanders Auctions
          • GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (1857-1923). FEMALE NUDE STANDINGsold
            Jun. 22, 2022

            GEORGE HENDRIK BREITNER (1857-1923). FEMALE NUDE STANDING

            Est: €250 - €500

            Chalk on paper, ca. 44 x 29 cm. Initials signed in pencil lower right. Number '8' in pencil upper right. Framed under glass in early 20th century gilt ornamented wooden frame (56 x 41 cm) with name label. Waterstained, paper creased, two tears in upper right corner. Possibly a portrayal of Mina Otten, Arnold Ising's mistress, who posed nude for Breitner several times in 1891. *Exquisite nude by the Amsterdam impressionist: 'het grootste gedeelte van de naakten realiseerde Breitner tussen 1885 en 1895, zijn zogenaamde Amsterdamse periode. Hij was de eerste kunstenaar in de Nederlandse 19e-eeuw die het vrouwelijk naakt realistisch heeft weergegeven.' (H. Klarenbeek. Naakt of bloot: Vrouwelijk naakt in de 19e-eeuw. 2006, p. 69).

            Zwiggelaar Auctions
          • Breitner, G.H. (1857-1923). (Still life with a jug, two lemons and green branches).sold
            May. 20, 2022

            Breitner, G.H. (1857-1923). (Still life with a jug, two lemons and green branches).

            Est: €400 - €600

            Breitner, G.H. (1857-1923). (Still life with a jug, two lemons and green branches). Drawing, watercolour, 10x15 cm., signed "G.H. Breitner f". - Browned; closed tear in right edge; a few imperfections to the surface.

            Bubb > Kuyper: Auctioneers of Books, Fine Arts & Manuscripts
          • George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923)sold
            May. 18, 2022

            George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923)

            Est: €120,000 - €160,000

            George Hendrik Breitner (1857-1923), 'Drie meiden in de sneeuw', oil on canvas, 71x100 cm, George Hendrik Breitner was a great painter and an exceptionally talented photographer. More than 2,000 negatives of him have been preserved. All of them are from his Amsterdam period, so from 1886 onwards. He used photography as study material for his paintings, to complement and as a reminder. But the power of his painting, and the colours, could not be captured in his photographs. He walked endlessly through old Amsterdam in all seasons - allowing himself to be carried away by the big city bustle, watching from a distance how the crowd moved; and how maids walked arm in arm across the street. Breitner spent his academy years in The Hague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Paris. He had close contacts with painters of the Hague School; the three Maris brothers, Anton Mauve, and Hendrik Willem Mesdag. They taught him to see the tonal values in a colour, and build up a painting with various shades of light. He found a kindred spirit in Vincent van Gogh with whom he regularly drew the ‘common people’ during his time in The Hague. He wrote about this in a letter of 1882: ‘Ik zelf, Ik zal de mensch schilderen op de straat en in de huizen de straten en huizen die ze gebouwd hebben ‘t leven vooral. Le peintre du peuple zal ik trachten te worden of liever ben ik al omdat ik ’t wil’. During his Amsterdam days, he joined a circle of young painters, including Willem Witsen and Isaac Israels, who were aware that they were part of a new era. The city of Amsterdam was growing fast and renewing itself in the fields of business, industry and trade. Breitner became, as it were, a visual reporter of this. His attention was focused on the turbulent life of the inner city. His way of drawing and painting became more expressive, more direct. We see colourful, wildly smeared paint surfaces. He paints women of the ‘Jordaanse type’. Not always attractive, but absolute characters. He provided them with coarse, primitive facial features, which often gave an unpolished result. These types included the koffiepiksters (coffee pickers), the waspitten (factory workers) and the dienstbodes (housemaids). Breitner was also able to portray the feeling of cold on a bleak day. In his time, not everyone was enamoured with such a direct depiction. One critic spoke of ‘Amsterdam mops, blown up and in a shoddy draughtsmanship’. Breitner experimented with different viewpoints. He often made the heads stand out against a clear sky. In the painting ‘Three girls in the snow’ - painted in the last decade of the nineteenth century - he chose a slightly higher point of view. The three figures fill almost the entire composition: the image bears witness to a photographic vision. The women’s’ heads and clothes stand out sharply against the drab snow in the background. This style corresponds to the artist’s character. People who knew Breitner described him as ‘often fierce and brusque in his actions, sometimes suddenly rigid and closed, living between fits of passion and despondency and always completely obsessed with his art’. (quote from A. van Schendel, Amsterdam, 1939). Exhibited: -Utrecht, Centraal Museum, 1926. -Amsterdam, Stedelijk Museum, 1932 (on loan by W. Bogaerdt). Literature: -H.P. Bremmer, 'Beeldende Kunst', Vol. 13, 1926, no. 46. Provenance: -Collection W. Bogaerdt, by 1932. -With Kunsthandel Huinck en Scherjon, 1938-1939. -Auction, Frederik Muller, Amsterdam, 17 April 1956, lot 669 (Sold for: 10,500 Dfl.). -With Kunsthandel I. Bouwman, The Hague, 1975-1976. -With Van Voorst van Beest Gallery, The Hague, exhibition 1 November-23 December 1984, ill. in brochure p. 14. -Collection Dr. J. ten Bokkel; His auction, Sotheby’s, Amsterdam, 24 April 2006, lot 193. -The property of a lady. signed 'G.H. Breitner' (lower left)

            Venduehuis der Notarissen
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