Monk with a fishmonger 14 - 1890

Otto Scholderer's charcoal drawing captures a scene of a monk selecting fish from a fishmonger. The image is dominated by symbols of sustenance and spirituality. Consider the fish, a symbol that swims through Christianity, reborn from ancient waters. Its form echoes through the catacombs and finds new life in countless baptisms. It is no coincidence that early Christians identified themselves with this symbol; 'ichthys', the Greek word for fish, forms an acrostic for 'Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior'. The monk’s presence introduces the concept of abstinence, particularly from meat, during certain religious periods. Here, the fish transforms from a common food to a symbol of sacrifice and spiritual devotion, a bridge between earthly needs and divine aspirations. Note the non-linear, cyclical progression of this symbol, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.