De haring-visscherij brengt schatten in ons land, / Leest kind'ren dan deez' prent, gij ziet aan alle kant: / Hoe ieder in zijn vak, tot nut der Maatschappij, / Op hoop van groote winst, met ijver werkzaam zij 1820 - 1837

This engraving, titled "De haring-visscherij brengt schatten in ons land", or “The herring fishery brings treasures to our country” was created by the Van Kapel Brothers. The scenes depict the cycle of herring fishing, from sea to street. The ship, the central motif, laden with nets and flags, symbolizes not just commerce but a deeper connection to nature's bounty. This vessel, cutting through the waves, echoes the "ship of fools" imagery from earlier times, where the sea journey mirrors life's uncertain path. Consider the flags adorning the ships. Flags have long been emblems of identity and aspiration, yet here, do they also hint at the transience of national pride? Might these symbols of power also suggest the cyclical rise and fall of empires, much like the tides? Such visual metaphors remind us that our present is but a fleeting moment in the vast, ongoing narrative of human existence.