Marinetrofee c. 1657 - 1670

This anonymous print features a symmetrical arrangement of maritime trophies, dominated by two galleys adorned with cherubs, weapons, and banners. Such symbols of naval power and victory are not merely decorative; they echo the Roman tradition of triumphal arches and monuments, designed to glorify military achievements. Notice the recurring motif of the conch shell, a symbol associated with Venus, the goddess of love and the sea. It is the embodiment of both feminine beauty and the generative power of the ocean. This symbol has journeyed through time, appearing in Renaissance paintings and even in modern advertising, each time subtly shifting its meaning. In Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," the shell signifies divine birth and beauty. The image engages us on a deeper, subconscious level, evoking collective memories of naval prowess and maritime adventures. The conch shell has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.