The artwork “A Fishmarket in Venice (also known as Venetian Fish Market – the Yield of the Waters)” is an oil on canvas piece by the artist William Merritt Chase, completed in 1878. It is executed in the Realism style and categorized within the genre of still life, with dimensions of 165.1 x 124.5 cm. This painting is housed in the Detroit Institute of Arts, located in Detroit, MI, United States.
Examining the artwork, one can observe a rich array of sea creatures laid out presumably for sale or display, befitting the nature of a fish market scene. A starkly depicted ray is centrally positioned, its white underbelly providing a visual anchor for the composition. Adjacent to this ray, a dark, seemingly serene shark adds a contrasting element to the scene. Also present in the artwork are various marine life such as squids, shrimps, and other fish species, offering an abundance of textures and shapes. The fish are arranged meticulously on woven baskets, wood surfaces, and in ceramic bowls, indicating the care with which the market’s produce is both caught and presented.
The composition as a whole communicates the atmosphere of the Venetian fish market, with a concentration on the natural forms and intricate details of the fish. Despite the absence of human figures, the artwork captures the essence of daily commercial life through the arrangement of objects. The artist has managed to convey both the bounty of the sea and the commerce it supports through his attentive depiction of textures, light, and shadow. The dark, tonal palette contributes to the sensory impression of the market, grounding the artwork in the Realism movement’s commitment to portraying everyday life without romanticism or embellishment.
