Plate 6: figures in boats decorated with mythological subjects using poles to propel them 1655 - 1665

Pietro Santi Bartoli created this image of figures in boats with poles using engraving techniques. The composition is a frieze-like arrangement of three boats, each densely packed with figures. Their muscular forms and dramatic gestures create a sense of dynamic energy as they navigate turbulent waters. Bartoli’s emphasis on detail and linear precision invites a close reading of classical forms and narratives. The mythological decorations adorning the boats are not mere embellishments; they offer a symbolic framework through which the viewer can interpret the human drama unfolding within the boats. Semiotically, the poles and oars function as signs of human agency and control over the natural world, but the chaotic waves undermine this sense of mastery, introducing an element of uncertainty and struggle. The image functions as both a celebration of classical ideals and a meditation on the challenges of human existence. The linear quality of the engraving serves not only to define form, but also to evoke a larger philosophical discourse about the relationship between order and chaos.