Fantastische waterdieren, onder andere zeepaard 1581 - 1656

Nicolaes de Bruyn made this engraving of Fantastic Water Animals sometime in the early to mid-seventeenth century. These creatures are products of the imagination, but they are not without a social context. Made in the Netherlands, these images reflect the culture’s engagement with the sea through trade and exploration. The fish are given Latin names in the print, as if they were specimens in a scientific textbook. Yet, the monstrous qualities of the fish refer to popular folklore, where the sea was understood as a realm of the unknown and the dangerous. The sea horse in particular – half horse, half fish – suggests the influence of classical mythology, and the relationship between the sea and the gods. Understanding the cultural associations of these images requires research, including the study of natural history books, bestiaries, and popular literature. Approaching art in this way helps us appreciate how it reflects and shapes our understanding of the world.