The departure of the paranza 1861

Vincenzo Cabianca’s painting captures a seaside scene, dominated by the figures of fishermen, their robust presence a testament to their daily lives. The paranza, or fishing boat, visible in the background, is not merely a vessel. It is a symbol deeply intertwined with livelihood, community, and the unpredictable nature of the sea. Consider the recurring motif of the sea itself. Throughout art history, water appears as both a life-giving force and a bringer of chaos. Think of the ancient Greeks, for whom the sea was personified by Poseidon, a deity capable of both nurturing and devastating. This duality persists; the sea embodies the subconscious, a realm of hidden depths and powerful emotions. The fishermen's departure mirrors the cyclical nature of life: setting out with hope, facing uncertainty, and returning, changed by experience. These archetypes resonate across cultures and echo through time, a perpetual return of the same.