A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Albert Flamen, capturing three haddock on a beach with nautical elements in the background.

This etching by Albert Flamen depicts three haddock resting upon a sandy shore. The composition is characteristic of the seventeenth-century interest in natural history and marine life, often presented with a focus on texture and anatomical detail. Flamen, a Flemish artist active in Paris, produced numerous series of prints documenting fish and birds, which were highly regarded for their precision and technical skill.

The foreground features the fish arranged in a cluster, their scales and gills rendered through fine, controlled hatching. Behind them, a discarded fishing net draped over a wooden post provides a sense of human activity, while the background reveals a calm sea with distant sailing vessels. The inclusion of the Latin and French titles, 'Eclefinus' and 'L'Egrefin', aligns with the scientific curiosity of the period, where such prints functioned as both artistic objects and visual catalogues for collectors.

Technically, the work demonstrates the capabilities of the etching medium to capture the varied surfaces of the scene, from the smooth, wet skin of the fish to the coarse texture of the sand and the weathered wood. The lighting is even, allowing the viewer to examine the details of the catch without dramatic shadows. This print is part of a larger series of marine studies, reflecting the artist's specialisation in animal subjects. The presence of the 'Cum privil. Regis' inscription indicates that the print was produced under royal privilege, a common practice for engravers in France during this era to protect their work from unauthorised copying. The overall aesthetic is one of quiet observation, capturing a moment of stillness on the coast.