Le Bucentaure Vu Du Quai Des Esclavons, Venise 

Félix Ziem captured this scene of Venice with oil on canvas. Dominating the view is the Bucentaur, the state barge of Venice, a symbol of power and maritime glory. This vessel is adorned with figures—lions, sea monsters, and allegorical forms—a tradition reaching back to ancient Roman ships, symbols of dominance over water. Consider how the prow of a ship often features a figurehead, a practice echoing the ancient belief that these images offer protection and guidance, much like the prows of Viking longboats carved with fierce animal heads to ward off evil spirits. The golden hue of the Bucentaur is reminiscent of the sun, embodying divinity and triumph. The vessel's opulence mirrors Venice's historical wealth and influence, now a ghost of its former self, an example of how symbols persist, yet their meanings shift, affected by the currents of history and collective memory, forever engaging us on a deep, subconscious level.