Half Model of a 36-Gun Frigate c. 1775

This wooden half model represents a 36-Gun Frigate. The stern of the ship is ornamented with intricate carvings that echo the motifs of classical antiquity. The prominent figurehead, often a lion or mythological creature, embodies power and protection, reminiscent of ancient Roman warship prows adorned with images of gods and emperors. This motif transcends time, resurfacing during the Renaissance as ships became symbols of ambition and trade. The ship, from antiquity to the present day, is a symbol laden with emotional significance, embodying both the promise of exploration and the potential for conflict. Such recurrent symbols are not merely aesthetic choices but rather a reflection of humanity's enduring psychological relationship with progress, danger, and the subconscious desire to master the unknown. The ship, then, is an active, emotive symbol constantly evolving.