"Fishing for Oysters at Cancale" 
(also known as "En route pour la pêche" or 
"Setting Out to Fish") 
by the American artist John Singer Sargent
 
 
 
This Artwork is:
NEW
Plate Signed 
Lithographic Art Print
CUSTOM FRAMED in a Top Quality gold and brown wood frame
Matted in off- white
Published by Shorewood Reproductions, Inc. New York, NY
Image Size 25"x16"
Framed Size 33"x24"
Comes Complete with Ready to hang hardware
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Artist and Date: It was created in 1878 by John Singer Sargent, a prominent American expatriate artist known for his elegant portraits and landscapes.
Subject and Setting: The painting depicts a scene of oyster gatherers on the vast, wet sands of Cancale, a fishing village on the coast of Brittany, France, at low tide.
Artistic Style: Sargent employed an Impressionistic style to capture the effects of light on the figures, water, and sky, showcasing his skill beyond traditional portraiture.
Significance: This work is notable as it was Sargent's first painting to be exhibited in America at the Society of American Artists in New York, where it received praise for its "silvery hue and almost palpable marine atmosphere".
Current Location: The original oil on canvas painting is housed at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
John Singer Sargent's "Fishing for Oysters at Cancale" carries significant symbolism in both its figures and setting, offering a glimpse into the lives of working-class people and their relationship with their environment:
Symbolism of the Figures (Oyster Gatherers):
Dignity of Labor: The figures, primarily women and children, are depicted engaged in the physically demanding work of oyster gathering. Their postures and the presence of baskets symbolize the dignity and essential nature of manual labor, elevating an everyday task to the subject of high art.
Resilience and Self-Reliance: Particularly notable is the focus on women performing this arduous work, as many men from Cancale were often away at sea for extended periods, leaving women and children to sustain the household through oyster gathering and other local industries. This highlights their strength, resourcefulness, and resilience in challenging circumstances.
Connection to Community and Tradition: The group dynamic of the figures, moving together towards the water, suggests a communal activity deeply rooted in the traditions and way of life of Cancale