Fishmongers

• Main Author: Author: Davies, Nina M. (Nina Macpherson), 1881-1965 Alt Author: Gardiner, Alan H. (Alan Henderson), 1879-1963
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Ancient Egyptian Paintings; Meek; IPY
• Online Access: http://server15795.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p15795coll44,96

The tomb of Ipy is prolific in scenes connected with fish. In Plate XCVI we witnessed fishing in the marshes from boats. Here, in a picture taken from the neighboring wall, we find illustrated fishing with the seine from the land, and this is accompanied on the right by depictions of fishmongers preparing the catch for domestic use or for the market. The young man at the head of those drawing in the rope turns upon his companion, a meek old man with sparse white hair, and throws in his face words more likely to be objurgation than encouragement. A distinct tinge of caricature pervades the entire scene. To the right, one person is bringing a bag of fish, and another person emptying a second such upon the ground. The head-dress of the latter might seem to indicate a woman, but just such coifs are worn by the certainly male winnowers in Plate LI. Farther to the right, 'the fisherman Nia', of whom nothing is left but a hand with its knife, slits open a fish on a sloping wooden board. Other fish that have been similarly treated lie out in the sun to dry. The whole scene takes place near or beneath a couple of acacias (see Plate IX), such as are frequently seen nowadays on the banks of canals. The pods, some green and others already turned to black, are well shown, but the feather-like leaves have been conventionalized with thick strokes of the brush.