Fishing Boats and a Man with a Net 1638 - 1678

Allart van Everdingen made this small watercolor, "Fishing Boats and a Man with a Net," sometime in the 17th century. Everdingen here is working within a long tradition of maritime painting, using a subtle monochrome wash to evoke a windswept, overcast day. The limited palette focuses our attention on the skillful brushwork, which describes the waves, boats, and figures with remarkable efficiency. The scene depicts the daily labor of fishermen, set against the backdrop of commerce and trade. This reminds us that the Netherlands was a major maritime power at this time, deeply invested in fishing and seafaring. The artist is very aware of the human cost of all that industry. The very act of painting this watercolor was, for Everdingen, an exploration of his world, made possible by the labors of those he represents. Looking closely at the ways artists depict labor, and how they choose to engage with the social and economic realities of their time, helps us better appreciate the historical context of the work and understand the choices they made in representing it.