Haarlem, Grote Markt, fish market – Caspar Philips naar Hendrik Keun, 1769

“Het Gezicht van de Oude Vismarkt te Haarlem, vernietigt in het Jaar 1768.” [view of the old fish market in Haarlem, demolished in the year 1768] and “Het Gezicht van de Nieuwe Vismarkt te Haarlem, gebouwd in het Jaar 1769.” [view of the new fish market in Haarlem, built in the year 1769]. Copper engravings made by Caspar Jacobsz. Philips after drawings by Hendrik Keun and published by Aris Tolk, “Bookseller on the Grote Markt,” in 1769. Coloured by a later hand. Size: each approx. 40 × 28.5 cm.

We see the old fish market on the Grote Markt, built in 1603, looking toward the town hall. At the time there were two rows of covered fish stalls. Sea fish, brought in from Zandvoort, were sold there. Fisherwomen carried baskets and buckets full of fish through the dunes, along a path that still exists today: the Visserspad (“Fishermen’s Path”). Over the course of the 18th century the market declined, as less and less fish was being sold. A decision was made to construct a new fish market, somewhat smaller and closer to the church. To mark this transition, these two engravings were commissioned.

The New Fish Market is shown facing the Jansstraat. It consisted of two covered galleries supported by small columns. Between them stood the fish stalls where fish were offered for sale. On the street side an elegant iron fence was erected to prevent dogs from wandering in. In 1898 the market was roofed over and became a fish hall (Vishal). It continued to serve as a fish market until the Second World War.

Price: Euro 475,- (pair)