Artwork
The fishwife
The fishwife is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Adriaen van Ostade. It dates from 1672 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Adriaen van Ostade’s oil painting The Fishwife, executed in 1672, presents a bustling market scene centered on a woman selling fish. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the Dutch genre tradition of depicting everyday life with modest realism.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a fishwife clad in a dark hat and apron, standing behind a timber table laden with freshly caught fish. She lifts one specimen for inspection while other fish lie scattered. Behind her, a wooden stall and a few onlookers suggest a lively market, with a distant church steeple hinting at the surrounding town.
Technique & Style
Van Ostade employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing light to strike the fish and the woman’s face, thereby separating them from the darker surroundings. The contrast of illuminated surfaces against deep shadows creates a sense of depth and emphasizes the tactile qualities of the fish and the textures of the market setting.
History & Provenance
Painted toward the end of van Ostade’s career, The Fishwife reflects his mature handling of genre subjects. The canvas entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on display as a representative example of 17th‑century Dutch market scenes.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Adriaen van Ostade (baptized as Adriaen Jansz Hendricx 10 December 1610 – buried 2 May 1685) was a Dutch Golden Age painter of genre works, showing the everyday life of ordinary men and women.
