Fishermen Hauling Nets, North Beach, Skagen (1883) by Peder Severin Krøyer

The Danish village Skagen, located in the far north of the country, became a popular destination for artists during the 19th century. Painter colonies were emerging around Europe at the time, and the peaceful landscapes of Skagen, with its hard-working population, mainly consisting of fishermen, attracted many talented names of the Danish art scenery to this village.

Inspired by the French Impressionists, the Skagen Painters could organize cozy Plein air sessions nearby the coast, depicting the scenic nature. Among them was an enthusiastic observer of Skagen’s everyday life — Peder Severin Krøyer. He was a graduate of the Royal Danish Academy of Art, and an avid traveler, spending several years on journeys around Europe. In 1882, he settled in Skagen during the summer and joined a group of fellow artists.

Fishermen hauling nets, North Beach, Skagen. Late afternoon (1882) by Peder Severin Krøyer. Oil on canvas, 135 cm x 190.5 cm. Source: Wikipedia Commons.

This painting depicts a group of local fishermen pulling the fishing net out of the sea. While Krøyer had some admiration towards the Impressionism movement that was growing in France, here you can see a pure example of a Realism painting — it is almost photographic work.

Krøyer paid great attention to all the slightest details of this process and these rough seamen. All the reflections of water, shadows, and sunlight were done with accuracy. The Danish painter used a large-sized canvas, and this allowed him to capture even the small stones in the sand, and other small details, such as fishermen’s earrings or pipe. In the background, you can see another two groups of fishermen doing the same thing — hauling nets.

The scene might seem simple and for the local population of Skagen, more than ordinary. Sea was everything to them, providing food and income for their families, who were eagerly waiting for these tough men to return home with a good catch. It was often a dangerous journey, and the sea could show its power and cruelty against fishermen. However, most of them inherited this craft from their fathers and grandfathers, so breaking the tradition did not make much sense at the time.

It is also interesting, how two completely different classes co-existed in Skagen. The intelligent and creative-minded painters found themselves around rough, hard-working men who did not see much around the outside of the never-ending sea sights. For fishermen, it was all about a good catch and enjoying some drink and tobacco with their friends. The views on life were completely different for those two classes of Skagen’s population.

However, it looks that fishermen quickly got used to these painters wandering around beaches with their canvas, looking for a scene to depict. While the fishermen, most likely, did not appreciate the beauty of these scenic sights, Krøyer and his colleagues did their best to highlight all the best from Skagen and its people.

There is actually a very appealing trait among the painters of that period. Same as Krøyer, many painters in the 19th century held working-class people in high regard, depicting their everyday life, habits, and customs of specific regions. Painters saw the beauty in this idyllic lifestyle that was demanding toward these people. No matter, whether it was a fisherman or a peasant working in the fields, such labor was tough and never-ending. While society in general (especially in the current era), always looks for famous names, the painters in the past paid their respect to the people who kept the world moving.

Nowadays, society can turn someone into a celebrity just because that person posts a funny 10-second clip on the internet. At the same time, nobody will have the same admiration for a farmer or factory worker who brings a piece of bread or some useful item to our table. The products we use daily have become so ordinary and meaningless that we don’t even care about their origins and the people behind their creations. It’s admirable how Krøyer and other artists in that era sought beauty in everything around them.

For more history content, subscribe to our YouTube channel!