Petrus vindt een munt in de bek van een vis c. 1745 - 1765

This mezzotint, crafted by James McArdell, captures the Apostle Peter’s miraculous encounter with a fish bearing a coin. Here, Peter holds the fish aloft, its gaping mouth revealing the sought-after payment. The motif of the fish, so central to early Christian symbolism, carries layers of meaning. The fish, or "ichthys" in Greek, formed an acronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior". It served as a secret symbol among believers during times of persecution. Centuries later, we see this symbol reborn in countless artistic forms. Consider its appearance in mosaics, frescoes, and even contemporary art. Each time, it shifts and adapts, reflecting the changing cultural landscape. The act of finding a coin within a fish also carries symbolic weight. It speaks to divine providence, to the idea that the faithful will be provided for in unexpected ways. This imagery touches deep within our collective psyche, resonating with our primal need for security and our yearning for the miraculous. This symbol moves through time in a non-linear fashion, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.