XLVIII Haec illa est Remora 1614

This engraving titled *XLVIII Haec illa est Remora* was created by the Dutch artist Roemer Visscher around the turn of the 17th century, and is currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Visscher situates us in a world of metaphor, where a small fish possesses the power to stop a ship dead in its tracks, which is a concept drawn from the writings of Pliny the Elder. Visscher cleverly connects this fable to contemporary Dutch society, drawing a parallel between the fish’s arresting power and the social forces that can either propel or impede human ambition. The artist’s words reflect a world crowded with those who, like the remora, cling to positions of power, hindering progress and stifling innovation. Through the image and text, Visscher engages in a dialogue about the era's societal values, prompting us to consider the balance between individual advancement and the common good, and how unchecked ambition may lead to stagnation.