Cargo ship and wave 1805

This woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai captures a cargo ship amidst towering waves, a dramatic scene where nature's might dwarfs human endeavor. The wave itself, a formidable, almost sentient being, commands our attention. Consider how the motif of the tumultuous sea has surged through art history. In ancient Greek art, Poseidon, god of the sea, wielded waves as symbols of untamed power, much like Zeus's thunderbolts. The sea, a place of both life and death, evokes primal fears and respect. Hokusai’s wave isn’t merely water; it’s a force, a 'pathos formula', reminiscent of the deluge myths, symbolizing nature's capacity to overwhelm, and stirring deep anxieties about existence. Such images serve as a constant reminder of the non-linear progression of certain symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring fresh significance across various historical milieus.