Smiling Fishergirl

This painting was documented by Hofstede de Groot in 1910, who wrote "114. A WOMAN SELLING HERRINGS. B. 51. ; In a dune landscape, a girl seen to the knees sits facing three-quarters right. She smiles and looks to the right. On her lap she holds with her left hand a wooden tub of herrings. She holds a fish in her right hand, which rests on the edge of the tub. She wears a red bodice, a white scarf, and a black cap. In the left distance is the sea. To the right are high dunes on which are two figures standing. To the left of them is the sail of a ship. The sky is covered with grey clouds. Three birds are flying. Signed on the tub with the monogram ; canvas, 32 inches by 26 1/2 inches. An old copy was in the possession of a London dealer in 1908. Engraved by Gaujean. In the Oudry collection. Sale. Baron de Beurnonville, Paris, May 9, 1881, No. 302."[1]

Hofstede de Groot noted several fisherboys by Hals along with this one (catalogue numbers 49 through to 58c). This painting was also documented by W.R. Valentiner in 1923.[2]

Other fisher folk by Hals:

• 
  Fisher boy with basket
• 
  The Fisher Boy
• 
  Laughing Fisherboy