Landschap met vissende figuren 1765 - 1830

This landscape with fishing figures was etched by Marie Alexandre Duparc around the turn of the 19th century. Note the pastoral scene: the simple folk by the water, the fisherman at work. Fishing, as a motif, extends far back into human history, appearing in ancient Egyptian art, where it symbolized sustenance and the bounty of the Nile. Consider its appearance in Christian art, where Christ calls his disciples to become "fishers of men." This act symbolizes a transformative journey, a call to a new way of life. Now, observe Duparc's figures. They recall the earlier Arcadian shepherds, and the timeless pursuit of provision; a cyclical return to primal, life-sustaining acts. This etching taps into our collective memory, evoking a sense of continuity. The image becomes a vessel, carrying these deeply embedded meanings through time, engaging us on a subconscious level. The symbol resurfaces, perpetually renewed.