A Fisher Boy

Frans Hals (studio of) ca.1581 - 1666

Summary

Half-length paintings of fisher boys and girls carrying baskets of fish are a common type in Frans Hals's work, and were much copied by his followers. In this oil sketch, a young fisherman is depicted with his left arm resting on a wicker basket, while his head rests on his right hand. He is dressed in a white shirt, brown jacket and bright red waistcoat, and wears a brown fisherman's hat. Behind him, there appears to be a single peony bud on a pile of hay. The handling suggests the work of a follower of Hals, probably a studio assistant. Several studies of fisher boys and girls by Hals date from around this time.