A Woman and a Fish-pedlar in a Kitchen
- Artist: Willem van Mieris
- Date: 1713
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is "A Woman and a Fish-pedlar in a Kitchen" painted by Willem van Mieris. This painting is a great example of the Dutch Fijnschilders, a group of artists known for their attention to detail and realistic technique. You'll notice the artist's skill in representing different textures, from the smooth skin of the young woman to the grizzled flesh of the old man selling fish.
Look at all the objects in this kitchen setting - wicker baskets, earthenware dishes, lace, leather, and even a cat sniffing for food. Van Mieris takes his inspiration from his father, Frans van Mieris, who also painted interiors with an arched window and classical frieze below.
The artist's use of textures is remarkable. The plump hand of the woman rests on the feathered breast of one of the ducks, while the old man handles a fish with silvery scales. Two wicker baskets are portrayed in infinite precision, one holding turnips and the other snipe. And above the cabbages, you'll see feathers from a pheasant's breast and wings, contrasting with the fur of two dead rabbits.
But it's not just about the accuracy - Van Mieris elevates the status of this kitchen by including classical elements, like the stone window with an arch and the carving beneath it. This shows us that, although the scene may seem realistic, it's actually a representation of the artist's skill in painting.
See it in person
A Woman and a Fish-pedlar in a Kitchen hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
