"De Groote Zee en Rivier-Vis-Markt" (The Great Sea and River Fish Market) is a famous historical print and etching by the Dutch publisher and bookseller Casparus Commelin. It was originally published in 1693, but this print dates from the second edition published in 1726 after his death. The artwork captures the bustling scene of the historic open-air fish market located near the Damsluis on the Dam Square in Amsterdam.
The print is from Commelin's comprehensive city description book, "Beschryvinge van Amsterdam".
Casparus Isaacsz Commelin was a highly successful bookseller, newspaper publisher, and historian based in Amsterdam.
Because of his prominent status and access to official city archives, he compiled the massive, authoritative historical text "Beschryvinge van Amsterdam", (Description of Amsterdam), first published in 1693.
He commissioned artists and engravers to create detailed illustrations of city landmarks—including the "De Groote Zee en Rivier-Vis-Markt"—to visually enrich his history book. The 1726 edition, from which this print has been taken, used the original plates from 1693.
