Who created "The Big Fish Eat the Little Fish"?

The Big Fish Eat the Little Fish was created by Hendrik Hondius after Pieter Bruegel the Elder (after Hieronymus Bosch? in c. 1619.

When was "The Big Fish Eat the Little Fish" created?

This artwork was created c. 1619.

What medium is "The Big Fish Eat the Little Fish"?

The Big Fish Eat the Little Fish is engraving.

Is "The Big Fish Eat the Little Fish" in the public domain?

Yes, The Big Fish Eat the Little Fish is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

The Big Fish Eat the Little Fish

Hendrik Hondius after Pieter Bruegel the Elder (after Hieronymus Bosch?

c. 1619

Medium

engraving

Classification

Department

CG-E

Museum

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Credit

Rosenwald Collection

Accession Number

1980.45.223

Rights

Public Domain

View on museum website →

Art Historical Context

This engraving, created around 1619 by Hendrik Hondius after a design by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, captures the timeless proverb “The big fish eat the little fish.” The image presents a stark moral lesson about power, greed, and social hierarchy, rendered with the intricate line work characteristic of early seventeenth-century printmaking. As an engraving, the work allowed this vivid allegory to circulate widely, reaching audiences far beyond the original drawing and reinforcing its message across generations. The composition is thought to draw on themes explored by Hieronymus Bosch, whose fa...

The Big Fish Eat the Little Fish

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