Visser op vlonder 1781 - 1822

Hermanus Fock created this etching, "Fisherman on a Jetty," capturing a seemingly simple scene. But look closer; the act of fishing, seemingly mundane, is laden with deeper resonance. The fisherman, a solitary figure, recalls images of Saint Peter, the Apostle, whose livelihood was also drawn from the water. This image, steeped in Christian symbolism, appears across centuries, from early mosaics to Renaissance paintings. The fish, a symbol of abundance and faith, carries a profound emotional weight, evoking feelings of hope and spiritual fulfillment. Consider the line from man to fish, the rod connecting the fisherman to the depths, a metaphor for our connection to the unconscious. Just as the fisherman patiently waits, we too are drawn to the symbolism of the water and what lurks beneath, inviting reflection.