Visverkoop op het strand 1722 - 1784

Simon Fokke's "Fish Sale on the Beach" is a delicate engraving depicting a scene of commerce and daily life. The central motif is, of course, the fish being sold; it goes beyond being a mere commodity. Throughout history, the fish appears as a symbol of abundance, faith, and transformation. In early Christian iconography, the fish represented Christ, a symbol of spiritual nourishment. But here, it seems to return to an earlier meaning. Notice the gesture of the seller offering the fish to the well-dressed family. Consider how similar gestures appear in ancient Roman art, where offerings to deities were depicted with outstretched hands. The offering of the fish can be seen as a symbol of prosperity, as well as the cycle of life itself, mirroring ancient fertility rituals. The act of offering and receiving is an elemental human interaction that has persisted through millennia, taking on different layers of meaning. Fokke's engraving is a powerful reminder of how deeply embedded these symbols are in our collective memory, resurfacing in new forms and contexts.