Plate 6: three ships in a storm, from 'Various Embarkations' (Divers embarquements) 1641 - 1652

Stefano della Bella created this etching, "Three Ships in a Storm," capturing the raw power of nature. The ships, tossed about by monstrous waves and darkened skies, evoke a timeless symbol: the precariousness of human endeavor against the overwhelming forces of the cosmos. Consider how such tempestuous seas have haunted the artistic imagination across eras. From ancient Greek pottery depicting Poseidon's wrath to Renaissance paintings of shipwrecks, the storm at sea embodies chaos and fate. Even the clouds churning above echo similar depictions of divine anger found in much earlier religious art. The sheer drama of this scene is a powerful force, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. It echoes the archetypal struggle between order and chaos, a theme that recurs throughout human history. The storm, as a motif, undergoes constant rebirth, reflecting our enduring fascination with nature's capacity for both destruction and awe. It is a cycle, a progression that reveals itself again and again.