Dimensions: height 520 mm, width 375 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof rendered this sketch of an aquarium with fish using a pencil, capturing the fluid essence of life beneath the water. The fish, symbols of fertility and abundance, swim in a formation that evokes both harmony and a subtle tension. Historically, the image of the fish appears across cultures—from ancient Roman mosaics where they represented prosperity, to early Christian symbols where the fish, or "ichthys," signified Christ himself. The motif of swimming fish transcends eras. Think of their echo in the art of Japan, where koi embody perseverance and strength as they swim upstream. Note how the fish, once laden with religious meaning, evolved in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to become emblems of the natural world. Observe the non-linear progression of this symbol, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings as humanity's understanding of the world changes, echoing through time.
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