Vuur 1584 - 1603

Jacob Savery I's engraving "Vuur" (1584 - 1603) depicts a bustling scene with a variety of elements. A man, central to the composition, is standing with a dish in one hand and a ladle in the other as he stirs a pot over a fire. Around him are various food items: a basket of fish, a barrel of beer, and a rack of dried fish, all hinting at the theme of sustenance and survival. The inscription surrounding the scene, a Dutch proverb meaning "I prepare fish, bird and animal over the fire, it's necessary for everyone to live here," emphasizes the commonality of this activity in 17th century Dutch life. The detailed depiction of the man's attire and the urban setting further adds to the realism of the scene.