The Fisherman’s Mother Art Print By Irish Artist Helen Mabel Trevor

The Fisherman’s Mother (1892)

Helen Mabel Trevor – Collector’s Edition Fine Art Print

Bring home a powerful work of 19th-century European realism with this museum-quality reproduction of The Fisherman’s Mother (1892) by Irish artist Helen Mabel Trevor. Painted in the Breton fishing town of Douarnenez, the portrait captures an elderly woman seated in quiet resilience, her weathered hands clasping a wooden stick adorned with rosary beads. Trevor’s mastery of light, texture, and character reveals a life shaped by hardship, devotion, and unwavering strength.

This compelling work was completed during Trevor’s extended stays in Brittany, where she immersed herself in the daily rhythms of coastal communities. Douarnenez — with its bustling sardine fisheries, rugged shorelines, and distinctive Breton dress — provided her with abundant inspiration. Trevor noted the region's “intense blue sea” and the striking faces of the local people; even the sitter’s five fisherman sons visited her studio to admire their mother’s likeness.

Historic Significance

The Fisherman’s Mother debuted at the Paris Salon of 1893, earning praise for its truthful character study and the artist’s remarkable draughtsmanship. Critics highlighted Trevor’s ability to convey emotional depth through subtle expression and finely rendered detail — qualities that remain striking more than a century later.

About the Artist

Helen Mabel Trevor (1831–1900), born in Loughbrickland, County Down, was one of Ireland’s most accomplished painters of her era. Her travels through Brittany, Normandy, and Italy informed a body of work celebrated for its humanity, storytelling, and technical refinement. Today, her paintings form an important part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s 19th-century collection.

Collector’s Edition Quality

• Printed on 300 gsm museum-grade archival matte paper (acid-free)
• High-resolution giclée pigment inks with 100+ year colour permanence
• Optional FSC-certified wooden frames (Black, White, Natural Wood)
• UV-protective, shatter-resistant glazing
• Archival backing & ready-to-hang hardware
• Individually colour-verified for tonal accuracy

Why Add This Piece to Your Collection?

• One of Trevor’s most celebrated and emotionally resonant works
• A striking portrait rich in storytelling and historical context
• Perfect for collectors of Irish art, genre painting, and 19th-century realism
• A museum-grade print inspired by an Irish masterwork housed in the National Gallery of Ireland

National Gallery of Ireland Collection.