Who painted Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder?

Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder was painted by Cornelis Ploos van Amstel in 1779.

Where can I see Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder?

Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder?

Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder?

Museum-quality prints of Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel , 1779

Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder is a chalk print by the Romanticist artist Cornelis Ploos van Amstel. It dates from 1779 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:in image on flag: LB; verso in center in brown ink: Geofered / aan myne Waarde Vriend / den Kunstlievenden de Heer Joh: Lublenck / door syn E.D. Dienaar en Vriend / PvAmstel / 4 January 178i; verso along bottom in brown ink: G: Netscherdel 1664. PloosvAmstel JC. 1781
Markings: Marked:verso: artist's mark (Eusman 9)

About this work

Overview

To the right, a small sailboat navigates choppy waters under a sky filled with dark, swirling clouds, emphasizing the atmospheric turbulence of the scene.

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel's 'Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder' (1779) is a print executed in chalk manner, aquatint, and etching on laid paper. The composition depicts a solitary fisherman viewed from behind, standing on a rugged shoreline while bearing a heavy bundle on his shoulder. To the right, a small sailboat navigates choppy waters under a sky filled with dark, swirling clouds, emphasizing the atmospheric turbulence of the scene.

Ploos van Amstel employs soft, tonal shading characteristic of the chalk manner technique to render the textures of the rocky coast and the billowing clouds, creating a dramatic interplay of light and shadow. This work exemplifies the artist's dedication to reproducing the atmospheric effects of 17th-century Dutch masters through printmaking, a pursuit central to his career as a collector and engraver in the late 18th century. Created during a period when Ploos van Amstel was actively publishing his series of reproductions, the piece reflects the enduring Dutch tradition of maritime genre scenes, focusing on the resilience of the common laborer against the forces of nature.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a moment of quiet endurance amid an approaching storm. The fisherman’s posture and the laden pack suggest labor and perseverance, while the restless sea and swirling heavens convey the precariousness of life dependent on the elements. The scene invites contemplation of human resilience in the face of nature’s volatility.

Technique & Style

Ploos van Amstel employs a blend of etching and aquatint to achieve nuanced tonal gradations. The chalk‑manner drawing provides soft, atmospheric shading that models the waves and clouds, while the aquatint’s grainy texture renders the brooding sky. Etched lines define the figure and boat, creating a detailed yet fluid impression of the seascape.

History & Provenance

Created in 1779, the print reflects the Dutch tradition of maritime subjects prevalent in the late eighteenth century. It remains catalogued among Ploos van Amstel’s graphic works, though specific ownership records are limited. The piece exemplifies the artist’s interest in combining drawing and printmaking techniques to explore atmospheric effects.