George Hendrik Breitner (1857–1923) was a Dutch painter and photographer, born in Rotterdam. He received training at the Academy of Art in The Hague from 1875 to 1877 and continued his studies in Amsterdam in 1886. Breitner emerged as a significant figure within Amsterdam Impressionism, applying the movement's principles to urban subjects.
Breitner is particularly recognized for his realistic depictions of street scenes and harbours in Amsterdam. He often painted en plein air and employed photography as a means to document street life and atmospheric effects, such as rainy weather, which served as reference material for his paintings. His canvases feature a free plastic brushstroke and expressive contrasts of light and shadow.
Breitner was associated with the "Tachtigers" (Eighties group), a collective of artists who exerted influence on Dutch art during the 1880s. His work is represented in collections including the Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. He influenced artists such as Piet Mondrian and Van Gogh.
