Fishermen Drying Nets before Castle c. 1855

Elizabeth Murray made this drawing, "Fishermen Drying Nets before Castle," sometime in the 19th century. Murray lived most of her adult life in continental Europe, at a time when women artists were gaining more opportunities, yet still faced many barriers in the art world. Here, Murray evokes a quiet, rural scene. Fishermen work on the lake while, in the background, livestock grazes peacefully. The presence of the castle suggests a history of power and privilege, standing in contrast to the daily labor of the fishermen. The drying nets, hanging on crude wooden poles, speak to the difficult work. The subdued tones and soft rendering create a sense of melancholy, almost like a faded memory. Murray here is not performing traditional representations of women, but instead shows a broader range of emotions that recognizes the impact of gender and class within the context of landscape. The scene feels timeless, yet it also reminds us of the social and economic structures that shape people’s lives.