Gezicht op de Haringpakkerstoren 1710 - 1767

Leonard Schenk's etching captures the Haringpakkerstoren in Amsterdam, a center of commerce and maritime activity. Above the tower, winged cherubs hold a banner, proclaiming the site as the "New Fish Market," a motif invoking divine blessing and prosperity. These cherubic figures, buoyant and ethereal, are descendants of ancient cupids and classical representations of divine messengers. Consider how such figures appear in Renaissance paintings, adorning religious scenes with an air of celestial grace. Yet, here, they preside over a bustling market, a secular space imbued with a sense of higher sanction. This fusion reflects a culture where commerce and faith intertwined, each lending legitimacy to the other. The image is evocative, stirring collective memories of trade, abundance, and the ever-present human quest for divine favor in worldly affairs. The cherubs, symbols of hope and renewal, elevate the everyday act of commerce to a realm of spiritual significance.