Visser bij een kust 1836 - 1890

Elchanon Verveer made this etching of a fisherman by the coast sometime in the 19th century. Its style is reminiscent of the Hague School, which sought to represent scenes of everyday life with a subdued realism. The image shows a man of the working class, gazing out to sea, perhaps contemplating his livelihood, or the life he has chosen. The scene is one of quiet contemplation but also one of economic anxiety. Made in the Netherlands, the image seems to highlight the difficult life of those who depended on the sea for their income. What kind of institutions influenced the scene? Was this made for a gallery? Was it made for an exhibition? More historical context is needed to fully understand the artist’s motives in depicting the scene. Only then can we understand the message fully.