Fishing boats on the Beach at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer 1888

Vincent van Gogh rendered "Fishing boats on the Beach at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer" with reed pen and ink during his stay in the South of France in 1888. The artwork captures the fleet of fishing boats pulled up on the sandy shore, rendered in black and white, heightening the graphic nature of the composition. Van Gogh sought refuge in the port town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a place steeped in cultural identity and the traditions of the Roma people. In his letters, Van Gogh expressed a deep connection with the sea and the hardworking lives of the fishermen. “I am absorbed just now in the sea, the immense plain seen from the dunes, and these boats.” His choice to depict these boats, bearing names in French, references the individuality and the hard work of the local fishermen. In this drawing, the scene transcends mere representation. It invites us to contemplate the relationship between labor, community, and the natural world. It reflects Van Gogh's search for solace and connection amidst his own personal struggles.