Vier vrouwen die vissen before 1900

This is an anonymous artwork, titled "Vier vrouwen die vissen", depicting four women fishing. The act of fishing, seemingly simple, is deeply symbolic. Fishing appears in ancient mythologies, often associated with fertility and abundance. Consider the Fisher King of Arthurian legend, whose wounded state reflects the barrenness of his land, a powerful symbol of the link between man, nature, and well-being. Even in Christian iconography, the fish is a symbol of faith, a coded reference to Christ. The women, immersed in their task, echo this connection to the life-sustaining waters. The image evokes a collective memory, a link between us and our ancestors who depended on the sea. Note, too, the psychological weight of water itself, representing both the source of life and the realm of the unconscious. The cyclical nature of this ancient practice, passed down through generations, reminds us of the timeless human struggle for survival and the enduring connection between humanity and the natural world.