“La Poissonnerie,” created in 1951 by the artist Bernard Buffet, is a genre painting that belongs to the Expressionism and Miserablism art movements. The artwork, depicting the interior of a fishmonger’s shop, portrays the stark and somber themes characteristic of these movements.
The artwork displays a fishmonger, centrally positioned, wearing a somber expression that reflects the grim mood commonly found in Buffet’s works. The fishmonger is depicted in minimalist attire, standing between wooden tables laden with various fish. On the left side of the painting, fish are neatly laid on the table, while other fish figures hang on the wire mesh background. On the right, another table similarly displays fish, with additional fish hanging above. The setting is austere, accentuated by the stark lines and muted color palette, contributing to the overall solemn and desolate atmosphere. The geometric pattern of the wire mesh enhances the rigid and constrained ambiance, serving as a backdrop that encapsulates the misery and bleakness of the scene.
