Artwork
The Poor Fisherman (Le Pauvre pêcheur)
The Poor Fisherman (Le Pauvre pêcheur) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. It dates from 1897 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right, on stone, in purple: P. Puvis de Chavannes; lower right, in graphite, by later hand: C35977; verso, lower left, in graphite: 18765; verso, lower right, in graphite: B-27, 982; lower right, in graphite: 96 [encircled]
- Markings
- Marked:none
About this work
Overview
The Poor Fisherman (Le Pauvre pêcheur) is a 1897 lithograph by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, executed in purple ink on laid paper. Characteristic of the artist's style, the work showcases his thematic preoccupations.
Subject & Meaning
The lithograph depicts a weary fisherman in a small boat, accompanied by two figures on the rugged shoreline, one crawling and the other sitting. The scene conveys a sense of hardship and everyday struggle.
Technique & Style
Puvis de Chavannes employed quick, loose lines to render the choppy water and uneven land, capturing a moment of dynamic movement. The purple lithograph technique imbues the scene with a soft, faded quality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1897, the work reflects Puvis de Chavannes' influence as a leading artist of the early Third Republic and co-founder/president of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts.
Context
Contemporaries like Émile Zola noted the artist's work as 'an art made of reason, passion, and will', situating The Poor Fisherman within a broader artistic movement of its time.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre Puvis de Chavannes (French pronunciation:; 14 December 1824 – 24 October 1898) was a French painter known for his mural painting, who came to be known as "the painter for France".
