Visverkoopster en klant after 1803

This is a drawing by J. Enklaar, titled 'Visverkoopster en klant,' or 'Fishmonger and Customer.' The composition is structured around a central interaction between two figures, each delineated with precise contour lines and delicate washes of color. The fishmonger sits to the left, her stance connecting her directly to her merchandise. The customer on the right, is rendered in a pink coat and appears to be in conversation with her. Enklaar is not merely depicting a scene, but also constructing a narrative, a dialogue between social classes. The framing line contains the composition, yet the subtle use of color suggests a world beyond. The piece operates as a sign, laden with cultural meanings, and the structure of the work—its careful arrangement of figures, colors, and lines—serves as the code through which we begin to decipher its message.