Drie makrelen op het strand 1664

Albert Flamen etched "Three Mackerel on the Beach," capturing a seemingly simple still life with the sea. The mackerel, rendered with striking realism, lie lifelessly on the shore, embodying a complex interplay of life and death. Consider the fish, an ancient symbol. In early Christian iconography, the fish represented Christ, its Greek acronym forming "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior." Yet here, the fish are devoid of overt religious context, reduced to mere objects of nature, perhaps a daily catch for the sailors. The composition invites contemplation of transience. The detailed rendering of the fish against the backdrop of the serene seascape evokes a sense of melancholy. This echoes in the vanitas paintings where symbols of mortality and ephemerality reflect a deeper meditation on existence. The juxtaposition presents us with a cyclical view of life: from sea to shore, from vitality to stillness. The image transcends its immediate context, inviting viewers to reflect on the ongoing dance between life, death, and rebirth that characterizes our shared human experience.