Shipwreck n.d.

Cornelis de Wael created this drawing, "Shipwreck," using pen and brown ink, likely in the first half of the 17th century. De Wael, a Flemish painter who lived much of his life in Italy, was known for his depictions of battles, maritime subjects, and market scenes. Here, he presents a chaotic scene of survival. Men cling to broken masts and debris amidst a turbulent sea, with the ghostly outline of the ship looming behind them. In the 17th century, shipwrecks were a terrifying reality, especially for sailors and those dependent on sea trade. Consider the economic disparities of the time: the desperation of those whose livelihoods depended on these voyages versus the merchants who risked capital. What emotional impact would this image have had for people facing the precarity of life at sea? De Wael captures not just the physical struggle for survival, but also the vulnerability and fragility of human life against the backdrop of nature's power.