Who painted Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder?

Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder was painted by Jacobus Buys 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

Jacobus Buys , 1779

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

About this work

Overview

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel’s 1779 print, titled Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder, combines chalk‑manner drawing, aquatint and etching on laid paper. The work presents a solitary figure on a rugged shoreline, his back turned to the viewer, bearing a bundle on his shoulder while a modest sailboat drifts nearby under a sky heavy with turbulent clouds.

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.