Big Fish Eat Little Fish 1557

"Big Fish Eat Little Fish" is an etching by Pieter van der Heyden, created in 1557. The artwork, measuring 9 x 11 5/8 in. (22.9 x 29.6 cm), depicts a large fish with its mouth agape, swallowing smaller fish while fishermen observe the scene from a boat in the foreground. This satirical image, titled in Latin, "Grandes are small food for fish," highlights the natural order of the food chain, where the powerful consume the weak. Van der Heyden, a Flemish artist, was known for his detailed engravings, showcasing the complexity and richness of natural life. This artwork, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, offers a glimpse into 16th-century artistic and philosophical perceptions of the world.