Neptune calming the Tempest Aeolus raised against the Fleet of Aeneas 1531 - 1576

Giulio Bonasone created this engraving titled, *Neptune calming the Tempest Aeolus raised against the Fleet of Aeneas*, in the 16th century. The composition is bisected, presenting us with contrasting realms of chaos and order. On the left, we see figures tossed about, struggling against the tempest, while on the right, Neptune asserts control, his form rendered with a pronounced musculature. The linear precision of the engraving allows for a detailed rendering of the scene. Bonasone uses line to create a sense of depth and texture, from the churning waves to the billowing clouds, adding to the drama. This contrast serves to highlight the thematic tension between the unleashed forces of nature and the imposition of divine will. Consider the structure, not just as illustration, but as a commentary on power, chaos, and the classical ideals of order, proportion and the human form.