De Schelpenvisser 1835 - 1911

"De Schelpenvisser" (The Shellfish Gatherer) is an etching by Dutch painter Jozef Israëls, created between 1835 and 1911. The artwork depicts a lone fisherman, standing knee-deep in the water, wielding a long pole with a net at its end. Israëls was known for his realistic portrayal of everyday life and his focus on the working class. This etching, housed at the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to his mastery of line and detail, capturing the ruggedness of the fisherman's life and the harshness of the sea. The artwork reflects Israëls' commitment to social realism, shedding light on the hardships faced by those who lived by the sea.