Gezicht op een scheepswerf waar een schip gedoopt wordt 1720 - 1754

Jacques Rigaud’s etching captures a ship being christened in a shipyard, a scene brimming with symbols of protection and prosperity. Water, the essence of life and navigation, is central to the ritual, evoking ancient maritime traditions where offerings to the gods were common for safe passage. Consider the cross atop the ship's mast—a symbol adopted by Christianity, yet echoing older solar symbols of guidance and direction. This symbol can be found in ancient Egyptian art, where the ankh, similar in shape, represented life and immortality. As the cross evolved, it absorbed earlier meanings, reflecting humanity's enduring hope for salvation and safe passage through life's turbulent waters. The act of naming the ship is also significant. Names carry power; they define identity and purpose. This echoes in mythologies across cultures, where naming bestows control and influence. In Rigaud's scene, the emotional resonance is palpable; the crowd's collective hope and anticipation taps into a primal desire for security and fortune. It is a powerful force, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. This cyclical progression of symbols shows how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.