Rog, brasem en witvis 1581 - 1656

Nicolaes de Bruyn made this print of a ray, bream, and whitefish, likely in the Netherlands, sometime in the early 17th century. Here, specimens of sea life are presented for the consideration of an informed public. The work may have been created in conjunction with early scientific cataloging efforts. Its existence points to the growing importance of empirical knowledge. The Dutch Golden Age saw a growth of a prosperous merchant class and an increased interest in the natural world and its resources. Art was intimately connected with the marketplace and the rise of the Dutch Republic. Institutions such as the universities at Leiden and Franeker played a key role in advancing scientific knowledge. Works such as this were relevant both to a scholarly community and to the public sphere. By studying the production, distribution, and reception of such prints, we can better understand the cultural values of the time.