Italian Fishing Vessels at Dusk 

Adolphe Monticelli painted "Italian Fishing Vessels at Dusk," using oil on canvas, at some point in the mid-19th century. The artist was based in Marseilles, but frequently took inspiration from Venice, then a popular destination for Northern European artists. Monticelli was interested in capturing the working lives of ordinary people, a popular theme for artists in this period, but his expressive style was distinct from the academic realism favored in the French art establishment. Look at the loose brushwork, which emphasizes atmosphere over detail, for instance. Consider, too, that the fishing industry was in rapid decline in this period, as industrialization took hold in Northern Europe and traditional ways of life were threatened. Monticelli’s painting, therefore, can be seen as a commentary on the changing social and economic landscape of 19th-century Europe. Examining the historical context of an artwork, with sources such as census records and trade statistics, can help us understand its meaning.