Hier hebt gy nu verscheyde vis / Die wel smaakt als z' zijn op den dis 1558 - 1780

This print, made by Johannes Kannewet, presents an array of fish, each carefully rendered with distinctive patterns and forms. Fish, across cultures, symbolize abundance, fertility, and the depths of the subconscious. Consider the scales, those protective, shimmering layers. They remind us of armor, yet also of transformation, like the shedding of old skin. We find echoes of this motif in ancient Mesopotamian art, where fish-like deities represent primordial wisdom and the life-giving waters. The symbolic weight of the fish has evolved, shifting from sacred to secular, yet its primal connection to life and the unknown persists. This reflects our own internal struggles, the cyclical pattern of growth, decay, and rebirth that plays out in our collective memory. The image engages the viewer, stirring a deep, subconscious understanding of life's inherent rhythms and the mysteries that lie beneath the surface.