The top of Grote Kerk church, also known as St.-Bavokerk, catches the sun, as does the other side of the market square, the Grote Markt. Yet the foot of the church is bathed in shade. The cool shade is ideal for the fish market, it keeps the produce fresh. Gerrit Berckheyde specialised in views of the city. He brought these to life with groups of figures, where light and shade meet. This city scene appears realistic, yet the reality was undoubtedly grubbier and more cluttered.