Visser op rog 1842

Egidius Linnig created this etching, “Fisherman with Ray,” in 1842. Linnig, who was born in Antwerp, made many paintings, drawings, and prints of marine subjects and genre figures, and was part of a family of artists. Prints such as this one were a popular means of circulating images and stories in 19th-century Europe. The fisherman is the central figure in this print, surrounded by the tools and bounty of his trade: nets, a ray, and fish. This image creates meaning through its visual codes, referencing the maritime culture of Belgium. Its subject matter reflects the economic structures and social classes of the time, while the etching medium allowed for a wide distribution, shaping the reception of such imagery. To understand the full meaning of “Fisherman with Ray,” a historian might consult archives, period publications, and economic data to gain a better understanding of its context. The meaning of this image is contingent on its social and institutional context.