Zeegod Oceanus 1586

Philips Galle produced this engraving of Zeegod Oceanus in the late 16th century. Galle lived during a time of expanding global trade and exploration, which influenced the cultural imagination. Representations of mythological figures like Oceanus reflected the period's fascination with the seas. The engraving presents a muscular, nude male figure riding a dolphin-like creature. The depiction of Oceanus embodies ideals of masculinity valued in European art at the time, emphasizing strength and virility. However, this idealization also obscures the diverse realities of those who lived and worked by the sea, particularly indigenous populations affected by maritime expansion. Galle's image participates in a long history of representing the ocean as a domain of white, male power, overlooking the labor and experiences of women, people of color, and enslaved individuals whose lives were deeply intertwined with the sea. Consider how historical narratives and societal structures influence the ways we perceive and portray mythological figures. This engraving prompts us to reflect on whose stories are amplified and whose are marginalized in the grand narratives of history.