Dragging the Trawler

Dragging the Trawler, known in Spain under its original title of Arrastre del bou, was produced by Joaquin Sorolla in 1904. The painting captures one of the genres in which the artist is most famous, namely seascapes.

A large sail dominates this composition, and one can immediately imagine a strong wind striking through this open landscape as fishermen battle to return their boats to shore. Sorolla would often capture fishermen, as he adored the local environment of the Valencian beaches and also was particularly interested in the lives of the working poor. That said, there is something romantic within these images as families who have potentially worked for many generations in the seas go about their daily battle with nature, whilst set within an inspiring backdrop. The blue skies make these scenes particularly memorable as they allow bright colours to come in against the cream and brown tones of the boat and sail. Sorolla could also provide a strong shadow below the boat which contrasted against the bright light which engulfed other parts of the scene.

In order to complete the scene, there are several other boats dotted about on the beach. A further figure stands beside the boat nearest us, sporting a wide-brimmed hat which can help to protect him from long days out in the sunshine. We see the sea lapping in the distance and the sky itself is filled with some white, fluffy clouds in order to add some artistic interest just than just providing a flat blue colour which would normally be the case within the summer days of Valencia at this time. This painting helps to remind us that even within the hard working days of those from the past, there was still a romance to their lives, and a beauty in the simplicity of their ambitions and expectations.

Some of the related artworks by this artist included Women Walking on the Beach, Sewing the Sail and The Return from Fishing. He worked directly on the beach sometimes, and became a well known sight as he looked across the shore looking for different items to paint. He became well known locally and his work was highly appreciated eventually, once people became comfortable with his Impressionist approach which was relatively contemporary at that time. He would face similar challenges to the French Impressionists, but had seen them ultimately succeed and so would have used that as motivation for his own progression. He would make money in the US, who also embraced his work and encouraged him to travel there and fulfil various commissions, particularly in the latter part of his career.