Guillou Alfred Pecheuses De Crevettes Alfred Guillou (1844-1926)

The composition presents a coastal scene centered around a group engaged in shrimp fishing. A low stone wall dominates the foreground, acting as both a physical barrier and a compositional device that separates the figures from the viewer while simultaneously framing the seascape beyond. The artist has positioned two individuals – a young boy and an older woman – on top of this wall, while another figure is partially submerged within the water at its base.
The boy, depicted in a state of energetic activity, kneels precariously close to the waters edge, his body angled towards a net he holds extended. His bare torso and limbs suggest youthfulness and physical labor. The woman, dressed in traditional attire – a dark bodice over a white blouse and a headscarf – appears more composed, leaning against the wall with one hand resting on a long pole. Her gaze is directed outwards, toward the sea, suggesting a watchful presence or perhaps a moment of respite from her duties. A third figure, partially obscured by the water, seems to be actively engaged in retrieving something from beneath the surface.
A woven basket, filled with what appears to be provisions and fishing equipment, rests on the wall beside the woman, reinforcing the narrative of sustenance and livelihood. The light is carefully managed; it illuminates the figures’ faces and bodies, highlighting their textures and expressions while casting shadows that add depth and volume to the stone structure.
The background reveals a calm expanse of sea meeting a clear sky, creating a sense of tranquility that contrasts with the immediate activity in the foreground. This juxtaposition suggests a broader context – the cyclical nature of labor and the enduring relationship between humanity and the natural world. The scene evokes themes of rural life, familial bonds, and the daily struggles for survival within a coastal community. There is an underlying sentimentality present; the depiction of childhood innocence alongside the quiet dignity of the woman hints at a romanticized view of working-class existence.