The Singel Bridge at the Paleisstraat in Amsterdam

1896

Breitner often took photographs to prepare his paint-ings, and several such studies are known for this work. The way in which the woman walks straight towards us and the image is cropped strikes one as distinctly photographic. Breitner initially depicted the woman as a maid, but after a negative review, the gallery representing him felt it would be better if he made her into an elegant lady.