Breton Fisherman 1888

Paul Gauguin painted "Breton Fisherman" sometime in the late 1880s using oil on canvas. It’s a scene of rural life in Brittany, France, capturing figures engaged in the timeless activity of fishing. Gauguin’s choice of subject reflects the broader artistic and cultural interests of the time. He and many other artists were turning away from the industrializing urban centers and finding inspiration in the perceived simplicity and authenticity of rural life. Brittany, with its distinct cultural traditions and picturesque landscapes, became a popular destination for artists seeking an alternative to modern life. The art market at this time saw an increasing demand for scenes of peasant life, reflecting a nostalgia for a pre-industrial past. To fully understand this image, scholars consult travel literature, folklore collections, and studies of regional cultures popular at the time. In so doing, we discover how the art world has often framed and presented the working classes.