Schelvis en snoek 1581 - 1656

Here is a small print depicting a schelvis and a snoek, made by an anonymous artist. The print presents two fish with careful detail to their scales and fins. In the context of the natural sciences, images like this reflected a growing interest in understanding and classifying the natural world, which in turn shaped European societies and economies. Consider the role of science in colonialism, where the classification of flora and fauna often went hand in hand with the exploitation of resources and the subjugation of indigenous populations. Who gets to name and classify becomes a question of power. The act of depicting these fish speaks to a desire to know and control, raising questions about the relationship between humans and the environment. What does it mean to see nature as something to be studied, cataloged, and ultimately, consumed?