Artwork
Fishing Boats in a Calm
Fishing Boats in a Calm is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan van de Cappelle. It dates from 1651 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a tranquil maritime scene featuring a solitary fishing boat on calm waters, symbolizing peace and the bounty of the sea. The subject reflects van de Cappelle's mastery of marine genre painting, emphasizing harmony between humanity and nature through his realistic portrayal of vessels and coastal activity.
Technique & Style
Jan van de Cappelle executed Fishing Boats in a Calm in 1651 using oil paint on a canvas support. The artwork measures 57.6 by 71.2 centimeters. As a marine painting, its formal and stylistic qualities center on the depiction of sailboats and figures engaged in fishing, capturing the serene, placid nature of the water implied by its title.
History & Provenance
The painting was formerly part of the Demidov collection before entering the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it remains today.
Fishing Boats in a Calm was painted by Jan van de Cappelle in 1651. The work is executed in oil on canvas and measures 57.6 × 71.2 cm. The painting was formerly part of the Demidov collection before entering the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it remains today.
Jan van de Cappelle's Fishing Boats in a Calm is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The work is associated with the Demidov collection within the museum's holdings. Created in 1651, this marine oil painting on canvas depicts fishing vessels and figures in a calm setting.
The inventory details link the piece to the specific accession records of the Art Institute, which acquired it as part of the Demidov group. The painting remains a featured work in the institution's marine art collection.
Overview
Jan van de Cappelle’s 1651 oil painting Fishing Boats in a Calm captures a tranquil harbor in the Dutch Republic. The composition centers on a modest fleet of fishing vessels under a sky heavy with gray clouds, while a wooden pier extends into the still water, inviting the viewer into a scene of quiet labor.
Context
The painting belongs to the Dutch Golden Age, a period when marine and harbor scenes were popular for their commercial relevance and national pride. Van de Cappelle, alongside contemporaries such as Willem van de Velde, contributed to a visual record of the Netherlands’ maritime economy, emphasizing calm waters and the daily rhythm of fishing communities.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jan van de Cappelle (or Joannes / van der / Capelle in various combinations; 25 January 1626 (baptized) – 22 December 1679 (buried)) was a Dutch Golden Age painter of seascapes and winter landscapes, also notable as an industrialist and…
