Vissersboot aan de kade bij eb c. 1827

Alexis-Victor Joly produced this print of a fishing boat at low tide in France at an unknown date. We can see in this image how cultural heritage is tied to the everyday lives of the people. The print depicts a scene of labor and commerce in a coastal town. The composition focuses on the activity surrounding the fishing boat and the movement of goods. The presence of a defensive tower and people on the bridge is representative of the need to protect commerce from competitors. It reflects the economic importance of fishing to the local community. It suggests a society where fishing is both a livelihood and a social activity. To understand this work better, we might research the history of fishing in France, consult local archives and historical societies, and examine similar prints and paintings from the period. What stories do they tell about the lives of ordinary people and their relationship to the sea?