A Fish Stall by a Harbour

Hendrik Martensz Sorgh 1609/1611 - 1670

Summary

Sorgh focuses on the woman at her fish stall, as she confidently handles a large knife. The array of wet fish offered to the viewer can almost be smelt, while the sounds of the traders and fishermen in the distance can be easily imagined. Sorgh was active in Rotterdam, where he worked not only as an artist, but also as a bargeman in his father's local shipping business, through which he gained detailed knowledge of the fish markets. His father, Maerten Claesz. Rochusse (or Rokes), obtained the soubriquet ‘de Sorch' (Dutch: ‘careful') after the way in which he handled cargo; his son Hendrick had adopted the name by 1633, when it appears on his marriage certificate, and began signing his paintings that way after 1640.

Display Label

A fish stall by a harbour about 1655 Hendrick Sorgh 1610/11-70 Oil on panel Hendrick Sorgh lived in the coastal city of Rotterdam. He worked not only as an artist, but also as a bargeman in his father’s local shipping business. Sorgh gained detailed knowledge of the fish markets and painted such scenes from the 1650s. Here he focuses on the woman at her fish stall, as she confidently handles a large knife. An array of fish is offered to the viewer and can almost be smelt, while the sounds of the traders and fishermen in the distance can be easily imagined. Assheton Bennett bequest 1979.500