Who painted Pêche de la Baleine, Whale-Fishery?

Pêche de la Baleine, Whale-Fishery was painted by Friedrich von Martens in 1834.

Where can I see Pêche de la Baleine, Whale-Fishery?

Pêche de la Baleine, Whale-Fishery is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Pêche de la Baleine, Whale-Fishery?

Pêche de la Baleine, Whale-Fishery is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Pêche de la Baleine, Whale-Fishery?

Museum-quality prints of Pêche de la Baleine, Whale-Fishery are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Pêche de la Baleine, Whale-Fishery

Friedrich von Martens , 1834

Pêche de la Baleine, Whale-Fishery is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Friedrich von Martens. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:In plate, below image, at left: Garneray pinx.; in plate, below image, at right: Martens sculp.; in plate, below image, at center: PÊCHE DE LA BALEINE. WHALE FISHERY. / Paris, Publié par GOUPIL & VIBERT, Boulevard Montmartre, 15, & rue de Lanery, 7 Imprimerie de Goupil et Vibert.

About this work

Overview

Friedrich von Martens’ print Pêche de la Baleine dates from around 1834 and is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington. Executed in etching, aquatint and engraving on wove paper, the work measures roughly the size of a typical sheet and presents a vivid maritime tableau that captures a moment of intense activity at sea.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a whale breaching amid turbulent waves while a small boat full of harpooneers rows frantically alongside. In the distance a larger vessel is ablaze, its smoke curling upward, and gulls wheel above the chaos. The French title, translating to “whale‑fishing,” underscores the perilous nature of 19th‑century whaling expeditions.

Technique & Style

Martens combines line engraving with aquatint washes to render both fine detail and atmospheric tone. The sharp incised lines define the figures and rigging, while the aquatint creates the frothy sea and smoky sky, producing a contrast between the crisp foreground and the more diffuse background that heightens the drama.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1834, the print entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the mid‑20th century, though earlier ownership records are sparse. Its presence in a major public institution reflects the work’s relevance to the study of European printmaking and maritime subjects of the period.

Context

During the early 1800s, European artists often portrayed the dangers of whaling, a lucrative yet hazardous industry. Martens’ composition aligns with this trend, employing a narrative approach that emphasizes human struggle against nature, a theme common in Romantic‑influenced visual culture.