Kleyben bij Bazel 1625

Matthäus Merian's delicate etching shows us Klybeck near Basel, a scene brimming with life around the river. The most striking element is water, with fishermen actively casting their nets, echoing ancient fishing scenes found in mosaics and Egyptian reliefs. Water, here, transcends mere depiction; it is a symbol of life, abundance, and the ever-flowing cycle of existence. Consider the figure wading, net in hand, a motif stretching back to antiquity, seen in various forms across cultures, from the fishermen of the Nile to the seafarers of the Mediterranean. The act of fishing itself becomes a metaphor for capturing fortune or even souls. The emotional undercurrent here is one of striving and sustenance, an enduring human endeavor. It reminds us that, despite the passage of time and the evolution of societies, certain primal activities remain deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. This image, in its simplicity, taps into a powerful, shared human experience.