Seascape (La Naufrage) 1705 - 1760

Adriaen Manglard created this dramatic etching, "Seascape (La Naufrage)," which now resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Immediately, we are struck by the linear intensity, the scene is alive with meticulously etched lines that convey a storm's raw energy, and evoke a sense of impending doom. The composition is divided into distinct vertical zones: a robust lighthouse on the left, survivors clinging to rocks in the foreground, and the skeletal remains of classical architecture to the right. Manglard uses these architectural elements, juxtaposed against the chaotic sea, to explore themes of human impermanence. The lighthouse, a beacon of hope, is countered by the crumbling archway, a relic of past glory now threatened by the storm. Here, the storm serves as a powerful signifier of nature’s indifference, challenging any illusion of human control. The turbulent sea undermines established notions of stability, and leaves us contemplating the transient nature of existence itself.