The Fishwife (1672)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
Adriaen van Ostade's 1672 painting, "The Fishwife," captures a vibrant scene steeped in the simple routines of 17th century Dutch life. In the foreground, a fishwife, dressed in traditional attire with a warm bonnet and subdued colors, engages directly with the viewer as she sorts through her day’s catch. Her selection of seafood, which includes freshly caught fish prominently displayed on a wooden table, indicates her role as a vendor at a bustling market place.The setting is a rustic market stall, sheltered under a timber roof, suggesting a cool, open-air market atmosphere. Near the fishwife, you can see various signs of her trade: pieces of cut fish and a scale, lending authenticity and depth to her profession. In the background, the daily life of the village unfolds under a serene sky. Other villagers, cloaked in period garments, engage in lively exchanges, adding a communal feel to the scene.Van Ostade's attention to detail, from the textures of the wooden beams and bricks to the expressions and interactions of the individuals, enriches the narrative quality of the painting.