“Fisher Girl,” an oil on canvas painting by Frans Hals, dates from 1630 to 1632 and belongs to the Baroque art movement. This portrait measures 80.6 by 66.7 centimeters and is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a young girl engrossed in her task of sorting or holding fish in a basket. Seen against a dynamic backdrop of a coastal landscape under a cloudy sky, she is attired in simple, rustic clothing indicative of her profession and era. The painter’s mastery is evident in the vivid portrayal of the girl’s expressions and attire, capturing the daily toil and character of fisherfolk. The composition’s muted palette and fine brushwork give the scene a natural, almost candid realism that is characteristic of Hals’ work during the Baroque period. The presence of birds in the sky adds to the sense of place and atmosphere within the portrait.
