The Nieuwe Vismarkt (New Fish Market) in Amsterdam 1655 - 1692

Emanuel de Witte captured the Nieuwe Vismarkt in Amsterdam, utilizing oil on canvas to construct an intimate scene of daily commerce. De Witte, a Dutch Golden Age artist, often depicted church interiors, but here he turns his attention to the bustling marketplace, a vital center of urban life. The painting offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of the 17th-century Netherlands. Note the contrast between the well-dressed gentleman, likely a merchant or member of the bourgeoisie, and the working-class women selling fish. Their interactions speak to the economic exchanges and social hierarchies of the time. The labor of women is set against the backdrop of Amsterdam’s burgeoning maritime trade and colonial exploits, suggesting the city's wealth relied on a broad network of labor and exchange. De Witte’s detailed rendering of the fish evokes the sensory experience of the market; the smell and feel of the day’s catch. This painting offers a window into the complex interplay of commerce, class, and gender in the Dutch Golden Age.