Joachim Beuckelaer - The Four Elements: Water [1569]

Joachim Beuckelaer - The Four Elements: Water [1569], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

Twelve different varieties of fish have been identified among those offered for sale in this painting. The direct gaze of the stall holders is particularly striking, as is Beuckelaer's use of steep perspective framing the street vista to the left. Framed by the central arch is the scene of Christ appearing to the disciples for the third time after his Resurrection to perform the miracle by which fish appear in hitherto empty nets.

[Oil on canvas, 158.5 x 215 cm]