Sfinx met een vissenstaart en een soort zadel op de rug c. 1526 - 1606

This is Adam Fuchs' rendering of "Sfinx met een vissenstaart en een soort zadel op de rug," an early 17th-century print etched with surprising detail. At first glance, the composite creature captivates with its intricate lines and textures. Notice how the artist merges human and animal forms, destabilizing established categories of nature and culture. The sphinx, traditionally a symbol of mystery and wisdom, is here re-imagined with a fish tail, challenging the fixed meanings associated with this mythological figure. The "saddle" adds another layer of complexity. It disrupts the natural flow of the creature's form, suggesting themes of control and domestication, and perhaps mirroring broader cultural anxieties about humanity's relationship with the natural world. Consider how the play of light and shadow, achieved through delicate cross-hatching, enhances the three-dimensionality and tactile quality of the print. Fuchs' meticulous attention to detail invites us to consider the relationship between artistic skill, cultural symbolism, and philosophical inquiry.