This painting is a companion piece to another painting by van Goyen, also in the National Gallery's Collection: 'A River Scene, with a Hut on an Island'. In the centre of the landscape in the far distance is a windmill and on the right, a church. The location has not been identified.
The paint and ground are very thin, so that the vertical grain of the wood is visible. The umber-coloured ground is exploited to great effect in the rapid handling of the sky, which contrasts with the linear style of the details of the boats and figures.
Key facts
Artist
Artist dates
1596 - 1656
Full title
Fishermen hauling a Net
Group
Date made
1640-5
Medium and support
Oil on oak
Dimensions
37 x 33 cm
Inscription summary
Signed
Acquisition credit
Bequeathed by Mrs Elizabeth Carstairs, 1952
Inventory number
NG6155
Location in Gallery
Other paintings in the group: Two River Scenes
