Een grundel, karper, baars, een scholletje of een voren, / 't Is als goede kost, maar wie at ooit een horen? 1558 - 1850

Erve Wijsuller crafted this print, showcasing an array of fish, each a symbol of sustenance and the bounty of nature. Observe the careful detail in each creature, from the spiky dorsal fin of the perch to the flat body of the flounder. Fish, across cultures, are potent symbols. Think of the ancient Egyptians, for whom fish represented regeneration and life due to their association with the Nile's floods, which brought fertility and renewal to the land. Consider also the Christian symbol of the fish, derived from the Greek word 'Ichthys', an acronym for 'Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.' Here, the fish are presented with a focus on their physical characteristics. In the collective subconscious, they are more than mere food. They carry a profound ancestral association with life, fertility, and the mysteries of the deep, resonating with our most primal emotions and instincts. This imagery creates an emotional connection that transcends time.