The Shipwreck
1595
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1595
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a dramatic shipwreck scene. Waves crash over a broken ship near a rocky shore, while a lone, struggling figure clings to the wreckage. In the background, a distant castle and town sit on a cliff, untouched by the storm. The sky is thick with clouds, and the whole scene feels chaotic yet carefully drawn. The artist used fine lines to show texture—rough waves, jagged rocks, and the figure’s desperate grip. The Latin text below hints at a moral lesson about human struggles and fate. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
