Fiskerfamilie på Jyllands vestkyst vente deres mænds hjemkomst ved et frembrydende uvejr 1880s

Adolph Kittendorff created this print of a fishing family awaiting the return of their men on the west coast of Jutland. In 19th-century Denmark, fishing was more than a livelihood; it was a way of life intertwined with the community’s identity, particularly in the face of unpredictable weather conditions. The women on the beach embody the resilience and fortitude of those left on shore. They also represent the emotional labor involved in maintaining hope and managing the household. The approaching storm adds a layer of tension, reflecting the real dangers faced by fishing communities. It presents us with a narrative about the lives of ordinary people and their relationships to both nature and each other. This domestic scene is shaped by the looming possibility of loss.