A Frigate at Sea 1630 - 1694

Pierre Puget rendered this frigate at sea in ink and wash. The ship, a dominant symbol of trade and power in the 17th century, sails confidently through the waves. But let us not overlook the figures in the foreground, struggling with what appears to be wreckage. This juxtaposition of maritime triumph and human struggle reminds us of the dual nature of the sea: a source of wealth and a harbinger of destruction. In antiquity, the sea was often depicted as a chaotic force, embodied by figures like Poseidon, wreaking havoc on unsuspecting mortals. The image evokes a visceral, emotional response, tapping into our collective memory of the sea's unpredictable nature. The cyclical nature of this symbol, representing both opportunity and peril, resurfaces throughout history. Puget's frigate, therefore, is more than just a ship; it is a vessel carrying the weight of human ambition, vulnerability, and the timeless dance between man and nature.