Fish Market

This elongated piece is also part of my series inspired by visits to the Leiden fish market. After taking some photos, the smoked mackerel found its way to my plate — on bread with salt and pepper — a culinary part of the artistic process.

The canvas has an odd, narrow shape. I found it unused for two euros at the King's Day flea market. Its unusual proportions led me to focus on the elongated shape of the fish, which in turn demanded a concentrated composition where every detail counts.

I’m particularly pleased with the golden, metallic sheen I achieved on the mackerel’s skin. The shine catches the light in a way that brings the fish almost to life on the canvas. Acrylic paint allowed me to carefully render subtle transitions from gold to silver, from gloss to matte.

The dark stripes on the back contrast beautifully with the lighter belly, while the neutral background ensures that all attention is drawn to the fish itself. This painting reflects my fascination with the everyday beauty of animals and plants we consume — objects that normally hold our attention only briefly. By painting them, I give them a second life, in which their form and color take center stage.