Drie driemasters 1660 - 1718

This print, "Drie driemasters", was created by Vicenzo Maria Coronelli in the 17th or 18th century. The print depicts three masted ships with a focus on line and form. Coronelli uses line to define the ships, sails, and rigging, creating a detailed and structured composition. The meticulous rendering captures not only the physical appearance of the ships but also the structured order of naval architecture. The ornate framing of each ship isolates them as distinct objects of study. Each frame, with its symmetrical layout, contributes to the piece’s overall sense of order. The prints can be interpreted through the lens of structuralism, where the ships symbolize broader societal structures. The ships are signs, signifying maritime power and trade. Coronelli’s structured approach, thus, mirrors a structured view of the world. The act of framing and classifying the ships reflects an impulse to organize and understand the world through a system of signs.