Twee bruinvissen op het strand 1664

Albert Flamen created this etching of two stranded porpoises sometime in the 17th century. Note how the porpoises aren't just depicted; they're presented almost as trophies. This reflects a broader cultural fascination—or perhaps anxiety—regarding the natural world during this period. The sea, a source of both life and unpredictable danger, held a particularly strong grip on the early modern imagination. Consider the motif of stranded creatures throughout history. From ancient myths of sea monsters to contemporary environmental concerns, these images evoke feelings of vulnerability and disruption. Here, the porpoises, removed from their natural habitat, become symbols of a world turned upside down. It's as if the subconscious fear of nature's power, lurking deep within us, surfaces through such depictions, engaging us on a primal level. This act of portraying the porpoises touches upon primal anxieties related to mortality and the unpredictability of existence. These feelings continue to resurface throughout art history.