Sterrenbeeld vissen 1880 - 1946

Henri van der Stok created this woodcut print, titled "Star Sign Pisces," in the Netherlands at the beginning of the twentieth century. The image presents us with a stylized depiction of two fish swimming in opposite directions under a starry sky. Van der Stok produced this print during a period when the Netherlands, like many Western societies, was experiencing a surge of interest in astrology and the occult. This image participates in an international market for astrological imagery. We might explore it as a commercial enterprise. At the same time, the simplified forms and bold contrasts of the woodcut technique reflect the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement, which rejected industrial production in favor of traditional craftsmanship. As historians, we can delve into the publishing and printmaking industries of the time to understand the market for such images. Examining period publications on astrology and alternative spiritualities, we can trace the cultural significance of astrological beliefs in the early 20th century. The meaning of the art is always contingent on such social and institutional contexts.