Landscape (near Ouderkerk?) with a Fisherman

In Avercamp’s drawings, the Dutch landscape serves as backdrop for scenes bustling with human activity. From the barefoot peasant fishing in the shallow waters to the woman washing clothes on the riverbank, this watercolor presents a catalogue of seasonal activities taking place along Holland’s busy waterways. Although the artist carefully crafted this world inside his studio, his eye for such seemingly anecdotal details as the baby sitting in an empty washtub (on the left side of the composition) gives the impression that this is a snapshot of daily life in the Dutch Republic. Acclaimed for his talent as a colorist, Avercamp saturated the image with subtle reds, greens, and blues. His depiction of water, which effectively exploits the white paper reserve with only a few added touches of watercolor, is particularly striking.