Fishing Pinks in Breaking Waves

Mesdag was fascinated by the sea, fishermen and their fishing ‘pinks’. These vessels had a flat bottom that allowed them to be hauled up onto the beach. Fishing Pinks in Breaking Waves depicts the moment when the new catch is being distributed. With its horizontal format and rugged brushwork, Mesdag transformed an everyday scene into a monumental composition. The artist generally made preliminary studies on the spot in Scheveningen but executed his paintings in the studio.