Vier schepen: twee spéronares van Scilla en twee tartanes 1778

Louis Ducros created this watercolor and pen drawing, "Four Ships: Two Spéronares of Scilla and Two Tartanes," at an unknown date. Ducros, living in a time of expanding European exploration, likely encountered various perspectives on identity and culture as he created this image. Here, four ships sail on a calm sea. The spéronares and tartanes, traditional Mediterranean vessels, point to a specific regional identity, while the presence of multiple ships suggests trade, travel, and cultural exchange. Ducros himself was part of a network of artists and travelers who contributed to the 18th-century understanding of different cultures. These ships not only facilitated commerce but also played a role in shaping the identities of those who sailed and traded on them. The sea, often seen as a boundary, becomes a space of connection. Ducros’ depiction allows us to consider the sea not as a divider, but as a connector.