Brasem, makreel, twee ponen en een snotolf 1600 - 1638

Pierre Firens made this engraving of a bream, mackerel, two gurnards and a sea scorpion, sometime between 1580 and 1638. As an engraving, the image is made by cutting lines into a metal plate, inking the surface, and then pressing paper against it. The controlled lines of the engraving give the fish a sense of scientific accuracy. Each scale is carefully delineated, a testament to the engraver’s skill and the labor-intensive process. The stark black and white contrast emphasizes the texture of the fish, from the smooth skin to the rough scales, bringing the marine life to life. But it's worth remembering that while the image looks objective, it's anything but. The decision to depict these particular fish, the way they are arranged on the page, and the act of naming them is an assertion of power. This is what makes it so compelling, and reminds us that even the most seemingly straightforward images are shaped by human hands and minds.