Wonderbaarlijke visvangst 1666 - 1707

Gérard Edelinck made this engraving, titled 'Wonderbaarlijke visvangst' or 'Miraculous Catch of Fish', in the late 17th century. This artwork illustrates the New Testament story in which Jesus performs a miracle, causing the nets of the fishermen to be filled to overflowing. The engraving would have circulated among the educated elite of the Dutch Republic, a Calvinist society that placed emphasis on self-discipline and hard work. What, then, are we to make of this image of effortless gain? We need to remember the role of the church at the time, an institution that had a long tradition of commissioning art to illustrate Biblical narratives. This engraving reinforces the perception of divine power, reassuring the faithful that obedience to God could bring rewards. As historians, we can draw on sources such as church records and theological writings to better understand the relationship between art, religion, and society in the Dutch Golden Age. By researching the socio-political context, we can consider how art reinforces existing social norms.