Haring, tong en zeenaald 1581 - 1656

Nicolaes de Bruyn created this intriguing rendering of a herring, a sole, and a pipefish in pen and watercolor. The fish depicted, beyond their immediate representation, carry within them a deep reservoir of symbolic weight. Consider the herring, its silvery body reminiscent of ancient coins shimmering beneath the sea. Across northern Europe, the herring has not only sustained populations but has also become entangled with cultural identity. It is more than just a fish; it is a symbol of bounty, of the sea’s unpredictable generosity. Then there's the sole, flat and demure, lurking on the seabed, a culinary delight and a symbol of hidden depths. Lastly, the pipefish, an uncanny serpentine form, echoes the ancient symbol of the Ouroboros, forever consuming itself. These aquatic forms evoke primal memories, resurfacing in our collective consciousness. They are not merely fish but potent carriers of meaning.