Ocean c. 16th century

Editor: This engraving, titled "Ocean," by Nicolas Beatrizet the Younger, depicts a muscular, bearded figure reclining with what appears to be a staff. The inscription above adds to its mystique. What can you tell me about its historical significance? Curator: This image reflects Rome's fascination with classical antiquity during the Renaissance. The placement of this image in the Vatican suggests the Church's appropriation of pagan symbols, transforming "Oceanus" into a symbol of Christian dominion over the natural world. Does that shift your perspective at all? Editor: It certainly does. I see it now as a political statement about power and control, not just a mythological representation. Curator: Precisely. And consider how the print medium itself democratized access to these powerful images. Editor: I hadn't thought about that. Thanks, I'll definitely remember that.