Half Model of a 32-Gun Frigate c. 1796

This half model of a 32-Gun Frigate is built with wood. The anonymous artist has chosen to represent one of the many vessels which sailed the seas during the Age of Exploration. Consider the symbolic weight of the ship. A vessel to be sailed by men on epic voyages, and its symbolic relationship to the vessel of the soul sailing through life. This mirrors the ancient Egyptian concept of boats carrying souls to the afterlife. This symbolism transcends cultures. In Greek mythology, Charon ferries souls across the River Styx. The ship motif persists. We see it reappear in literature and art, embodying themes of transition, destiny, and the journey of life, tapping into our collective unconscious desire for exploration and the great unknown. The vessel is, and forever shall be, an evocative symbol, triggering deeply embedded memories.