The Sermon to the Fishes

Des Antonius von Padua Fischpredigt; illustrations by Giel Louws. - [Middelburg: Giel Louws, 2003]. - 48x32 mm., 31 p.

Blue marbled paper over boards; endpapers marbled. In blue slipcase. Set in 6 point Book Antiqua. Ten unique miniature water-colours by Giel Louws. Unique copy signed by the artist.



Die Fischpredigt (The sermon to the fishes) is part of Des Knaben Wunderhorn by Clemens Brentano and Achim von Arnim. It tells the story of Saint Anthony who saw no one in the church when he began his sermon. He then went to the river and preached for all the animals in the water. All the fishes poked their heads out of the water to listen to him and they all were very impressed by his words. Saint Anthony (1195-1231) entered the Augustinian Abbey in Lisbon but after his studies he joined the Franciscan Order. His fame spread very quickly and he became known as the most celebrated of the followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. When he died, it is said that the children cried in the streets and that all the bells of the churches rang of their own accord, rung by angels.


Clemens Brentano (1778-1842) and his friend (Ludwig) Achim von Arnim (1781-1831) worked together on an very important collection of German folk poems 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn' (The Youth's Magic Horn).

Giel Louws (born 1975) is a dutch artist. He studied at the Art Academies in Bruges (Belgium) and Kampen (The Netherlands). Afterwards he has developed a very personal vivid style as a painter. Religion is an important theme in his paintings. Most of his works deal with spirituality in life and arts.