Rot en Paard, de Vis met zyn staart 1558 - 1786

This whimsical print, "Rot en Paard, de Vis met zyn staart" presents us with various creatures, both real and imagined. Notice the horse and the fish; the fish are not just fish, but rather carriers of deeper symbolic currents. Consider the whale, for instance. Throughout history, the whale emerges in various guises—a leviathan of the deep, a symbol of primal power, and even, in certain Christian contexts, a representation of the belly of hell. Observe how the emotional resonance shifts. From the fearful awe evoked by the whale in ancient mariners' tales to its role in morality plays. The whale surfaces in our collective consciousness, transformed yet retaining its essential power to evoke wonder and dread. The emotional impact of these images lies in their ability to tap into primal fears and fantasies. The creatures, rendered with such naive charm, act as vehicles for our subconscious projections, engaging us in a dialogue that transcends time and reason. This cyclical progression underscores the enduring power of symbols to adapt, resurface, and capture our imaginations across the ages.