Straatgezicht met viswinkel 1888 - 1889

Theodore Roussel's "Street View with Fish Shop" etching depicts a mundane scene, yet it’s rich with symbolic undertones. The dominant lamp post, standing tall in front of the fish shop, evokes the ancient symbol of illumination and guidance. It is a motif that appears in various contexts throughout history, from the torchbearers of classical antiquity to the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason. Here, the lamp post's light ironically casts a shadow, obscuring as much as it reveals. This duality reminds me of the complex interplay between knowledge and ignorance, a recurring theme in human history. The presence of the fish shop, a place of sustenance, further hints at deeper, life-sustaining forces. Fish, a symbol of fertility and abundance in many cultures, has long been associated with the subconscious, emerging from the depths of the waters, much like the hidden meanings beneath the surface of our daily lives. This connection stirs a psychological resonance, hinting at the subconscious needs and desires that drive human actions. The symbol evolves, resurfaces, and adapts, proving its cultural, cyclical progression.