Steur op het strand 1664

This etching, “Steur op het strand” (Sturgeon on the Beach), was created in 1664 by the Dutch artist Albert Flamen, notable for his detailed and realistic depictions of natural subjects. The artwork showcases a large sturgeon lying on the beach, with a distant cityscape and several ships in the background. The detailed rendering of the sturgeon's scales and anatomy emphasizes the importance of this fish in 17th-century Dutch society. The scene suggests a maritime setting, perhaps a fishing port, further underscoring the connection between sturgeons and the Dutch fishing industry. Flamen’s work, through its meticulous detail and realism, captures the beauty and complexity of the natural world.