Sailing Ship of Messageries Maritimes 1889

"Sailing Ship of Messageries Maritimes" is a pen-and-ink illustration by French artist Édouard Riou. The piece, dating to 1889, showcases a large sailing ship with a French flag, navigating the open sea. In the background, a mountainous landmass can be seen through a hazy atmosphere. Riou, renowned for his illustrations of adventure literature, masterfully captures the grandeur of maritime travel in this detailed and evocative artwork. The scene suggests both the power and the vulnerability of sailing vessels in the face of nature's vastness.