{"title":"Jacob Van Merlen","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"drie-karpers-op-een-rivieroever-jacques-van-merlen","title":"Drie karpers op een rivieroever - Jacques van Merlen","description":"\u003cp\u003eA detailed seventeenth-century etching by Jacques van Merlen, depicting three carp on a riverbank with scientific precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis etching by Jacques van Merlen depicts three carp resting upon a riverbank. The composition focuses on the anatomical details of the fish, capturing the texture of their scales and the specific structure of their fins. Van Merlen, a Flemish engraver and publisher active in Paris, demonstrates a technical precision characteristic of seventeenth-century printmaking. The work belongs to a broader tradition of natural history studies, where the objective was to document species with scientific accuracy while maintaining an aesthetic quality suitable for collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe background provides a subtle context for the subjects, featuring a river scene with distant trees and a small boat. This setting grounds the fish in their natural habitat, yet the primary interest remains the still-life arrangement of the catch. The cross-hatching and fine line work create a sense of volume and shadow, particularly along the bodies of the fish, which appear to have been placed deliberately on the shore. The inclusion of the Latin and French titles, 'Cyprinus, La Carpe', at the base of the print aligns with the conventions of scientific classification and documentation prevalent during the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVan Merlen was known for his contributions to the print trade in Paris, often collaborating with other artists and cartographers. This specific print reflects the interest in zoological subjects that occupied many artists of the era. The attention to the surrounding flora, such as the reeds and leaves near the fish, adds a layer of environmental detail that complements the central subjects. The print is a clear example of the intersection between artistic observation and the growing curiosity regarding the natural world in the seventeenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Jacob van Merlen","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512509862223,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512553574735,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512553607503,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512553640271,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512553673039,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512553705807,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512553738575,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512553771343,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512553804111,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512553836879,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512553869647,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512553902415,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Drie-karpers-op-een-rivieroever_Poster_CompositorV1_1786447812440.jpg?v=1787111269"},{"product_id":"vissen-op-een-rivieroever-fishing-on-a-riverbank-jacques-van-merlen","title":"Vissen op een rivieroever (Fishing on a Riverbank) - Jacques van Merlen","description":"\u003cp\u003eA detailed seventeenth-century etching by Jacques van Merlen depicting a catch of fish on a riverbank, complete with naturalistic flora and a distant landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis etching by Jacques van Merlen, a Flemish engraver and publisher active in Paris during the seventeenth century, captures a quiet moment of rural life. The composition focuses on a pile of freshly caught fish resting on a riverbank, rendered with precise, fine lines that define the scales and anatomy of the catch. To the right, tall reeds and grasses frame the foreground, while the background reveals a distant, rolling terrain featuring a small settlement or castle. Two birds are depicted in flight above the water, adding a sense of movement to the otherwise still scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVan Merlen was known for his technical skill in printmaking, often producing works that documented natural subjects or rural activities. The inclusion of the Latin and French names for the fish, 'Epelanus' and 'L'Esplan', suggests this print may have been part of a larger series or a natural history collection intended for study or decorative display. The presence of the phrase 'Cum Privilegio Regis' indicates that the work was produced under royal privilege, a common practice for printmakers of the period to protect their intellectual property.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe etching demonstrates the characteristic aesthetic of the mid-seventeenth century, where the observation of nature was combined with a structured, almost scientific approach to composition. The contrast between the detailed foreground and the atmospheric, lighter treatment of the distant hills creates a sense of depth. This print offers a glimpse into the artistic interests of the era, where the mundane activities of daily life were elevated through the medium of fine printmaking. It is a piece that rewards close inspection, revealing the patience and dexterity required to capture the textures of the natural world through the copper plate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Jacob van Merlen","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512612294991,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512690872655,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512690905423,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512690938191,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512690970959,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512691003727,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512691036495,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512691069263,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512691102031,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512691134799,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512691167567,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512691200335,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Vissen-op-een-rivieroever-Fishing-on-a-Riverbank-_Poster_CompositorV1_1786448673149.jpg?v=1787112248"},{"product_id":"alburnus-ables-ou-ablettes-jacques-van-merlen","title":"Alburnus, Ables ou Ablettes - Jacques van Merlen","description":"\u003cp\u003eA detailed seventeenth-century etching by Jacques van Merlen depicting a catch of bleak fish on a riverbank, complete with a rural bridge and mill in the background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis etching, titled Alburnus, Ables ou Ablettes, presents a detailed study of a catch of bleak fish resting upon a riverbank. Jacques van Merlen, a Flemish engraver and publisher active in Paris, demonstrates a precise approach to the medium. The foreground is dominated by the physical forms of the fish, rendered with careful attention to the texture of their scales and the curvature of their bodies. The artist employs varied cross-hatching techniques to define the shadows and the reflective quality of the fish skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the background, the composition opens to reveal a river scene. A wooden bridge spans the water, connecting the foreground to a distant bank where a mill or similar structure stands. The inclusion of a small figure on the bridge and a boat on the water provides a sense of scale and environmental context. The presence of a fishing net draped over a stone wall in the mid-ground links the human activity of fishing to the primary subject of the catch. The inscription at the base, including the Latin and French names for the species, aligns with the scientific and observational interests common in seventeenth-century printmaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVan Merlen worked during a period when print series documenting natural history and rural life were popular among collectors. The work reflects the technical standards of the era, prioritising clarity of form and atmospheric depth. The print is marked with the signature B. Flamen, indicating the involvement of the engraver Albert Flamen, who collaborated with van Merlen on various series depicting aquatic life. This piece offers a view into the intersection of artistic observation and the documentation of the natural world, captured through the disciplined lines of the etching needle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Jacob van Merlen","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512612327759,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512704700751,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512704733519,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512704766287,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512704799055,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512704831823,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512704864591,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512704897359,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512704930127,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512704962895,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512704995663,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512705028431,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Alburnus-Ables-ou-Ablettes_Poster_CompositorV1_1786448799162.jpg?v=1787112251"},{"product_id":"vrouw-met-kind-en-sater-jacques-van-merlen","title":"Vrouw met kind en sater - Jacques van Merlen","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fine seventeenth-century etching by Jacques van Merlen depicting a mythological scene with a woman, child, and satyr.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis etching by Jacques van Merlen depicts a classical mythological scene featuring a woman, a young child, and a satyr. The composition focuses on the interaction between these figures, rendered with the precise, expressive line work characteristic of seventeenth-century printmaking. The satyr, identifiable by his rustic features and foliage-adorned head, observes the woman and child from the left side of the frame. The woman, positioned on the right, gestures towards the child, who sits atop an animal, likely a goat, which is a common attribute in depictions of satyrs and woodland deities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVan Merlen, a Flemish artist active in Paris, demonstrates a mastery of the etching needle here. The varying density of the cross-hatching creates a sense of volume and texture, particularly in the satyr's fur and the woman's drapery. The background remains largely unworked, which draws the viewer's attention to the central figures and their subtle expressions. This approach to negative space is typical of the period, allowing the narrative to unfold without the distraction of a complex setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe subject matter draws upon the classical tradition of pastoral mythology, which was popular among collectors and artists of the Baroque era. The scene captures a quiet, domestic moment within a mythological context, blending the human with the wild. The print reflects the technical skill required to balance light and shadow through line alone, a hallmark of the etching medium during this time. As a piece of historical printmaking, it offers a glimpse into the thematic interests of the seventeenth-century European art market, where such small-scale, narrative works were highly valued for their technical execution and classical subject matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Jacob van Merlen","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512769057103,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512795926863,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512795959631,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512795992399,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512796025167,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512796057935,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512796090703,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512796123471,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512796156239,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512796189007,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512796221775,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512796254543,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Vrouw-met-kind-en-sater_Poster_CompositorV1_1786449394867.jpg?v=1787113597"},{"product_id":"zeegezicht-met-rand-van-zeedieren-en-een-visnet-jacques-van-merlen","title":"Zeegezicht met rand van zeedieren en een visnet - Jacques van Merlen","description":"\u003cp\u003eA seventeenth-century etching by Jacques van Merlen, featuring a decorative border of marine life and a fishing net surrounding a central seascape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis etching by Jacques van Merlen serves as a title page or frontispiece for the 'Seconde partie de Poissons de Mer', a series originally designed and etched by Albert Flamen. Van Merlen, a publisher and engraver active in Paris, produced this work during the mid-seventeenth century. The composition features a central cartouche containing the title, framed by a decorative border of marine creatures and a fishing net.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe visual arrangement is characteristic of Baroque printmaking, where naturalistic observation of aquatic life is combined with formal, ornamental framing. Two large, eel-like fish dominate the sides of the frame, their bodies intertwined with the mesh of a fishing net that arches over the top. Below, a small heraldic shield sits at the base, providing a grounding element to the composition. Through the central opening, a serene seascape is visible, featuring a small sailing vessel on the water, which provides a sense of scale and atmosphere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe line work is precise, utilising the etching process to capture the textures of the fish scales, the fine weave of the net, and the gentle ripples of the sea. Van Merlen's technical skill is evident in the way he balances the dense, decorative border with the open, airy space of the central view. This print reflects the period's fascination with natural history and the systematic documentation of marine life, presented here with the stylistic flourishes typical of seventeenth-century European print culture. The work remains a fine example of the collaborative nature of print production during this era, where publishers often commissioned or adapted works from other artists to create cohesive series for collectors and naturalists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Jacob van Merlen","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512812736847,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512842588495,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512842621263,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512842654031,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512842686799,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512842719567,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512842752335,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512842785103,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512842817871,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512842850639,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512842883407,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512842916175,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Zeegezicht-met-rand-van-zeedieren-en-een-visnet_Poster_CompositorV1_1786450234872.jpg?v=1787114394"},{"product_id":"drie-vissen-op-het-strand-jacques-van-merlen","title":"Drie vissen op het strand - Jacques van Merlen","description":"\u003cp\u003eA detailed seventeenth-century etching by Jacques van Merlen depicting three fish on a beach, accompanied by a seashell and distant sailing vessels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis etching by Jacques van Merlen captures a quiet moment on the shoreline. The composition focuses on three fish resting upon the sand, rendered with precise cross-hatching to define their scales and physical form. A single seashell sits in the foreground, adding a tactile element to the composition. In the distance, the calm sea is populated by small sailing vessels, suggesting a coastal setting where fishing was a daily activity. The work reflects the seventeenth-century interest in natural history and the documentation of marine life, often categorised within the broader tradition of still life painting and printmaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVan Merlen, a Flemish engraver and publisher active in Paris, demonstrates a technical command of the etching needle. The lines are controlled and deliberate, creating a sense of texture on the fish and the surrounding sand. The inclusion of the Latin and French inscription, 'Pulchella, olim trichis. La Pucelle', indicates that this print was likely part of a larger series documenting various species of fish. Such prints were often collected by scholars and enthusiasts of natural history during the period. The background remains relatively sparse, allowing the viewer to concentrate on the anatomical details of the subjects. The presence of the 'Cum privil. Regis' mark confirms the print was produced under royal privilege, a common practice for high-quality engravings in seventeenth-century France. This piece offers a glimpse into the intersection of scientific observation and artistic practice during the Baroque era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/portrait-of-charles-i-of-england-anthony-van-dyck\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of Charles I of England - Anthony van Dyck — Anthony van Dyck\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/pastoral-landscape-with-the-ponte-molle-claude-lorrain\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePastoral Landscape with the Ponte Molle - Claude Lorrain — Claude Lorrain\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Jacob van Merlen","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512880763215,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512940761423,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58512940794191,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512940826959,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512940859727,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512940892495,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512940925263,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512940958031,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512940990799,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58512941023567,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58512941056335,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58512941089103,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Drie-vissen-op-het-strand_Poster_CompositorV1_1786450926604.jpg?v=1787115293"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/collections\/jacob-van-merlen.oembed","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}