Visvangst op zee 1582 - 1633

Philips Galle made this print, Visvangst op zee, meaning 'Sea Fishing', sometime between 1550 and 1600, using an engraving technique. The linear precision achieved in the engraved lines, creates a scene full of detail and texture. Galle's mastery of the burin, the tool used for engraving, allowed him to render the scene, from the barrels on the shore to the delicate ripples on the water's surface. Look at the figures hauling the nets: they seem to strain against the weight and volume of the fish-laden nets. This image reflects a society deeply reliant on the sea for sustenance and commerce. Galle wasn't just creating an artistic image; he was documenting the labor-intensive process of fishing, a cornerstone of the Dutch economy and society. The print is a testament to the skilled labor involved, and emphasizes how prints like these were not only works of art, but also crucial documents of social and economic life.