By: Jos Sances

Medium: Screenprint
Year: 2022
Image Size: 20 x 15 inches
Image Size: 24 x 18 inches
Edition of 18

Jos Sances' screenprint "Rachel" serves as a poignant tribute to the themes explored in Herman Melville's Moby Dick. The artwork depicts the whaling ship Rachel, a vessel steeped in the narrative of the novel, known for its tragic role in the quest for the elusive white whale. Sances captures the essence of the ship amidst a tumultuous sea, with intricate details that evoke the peril and beauty of maritime life. The haunting figure emerging from the depths adds a layer of emotional depth, symbolizing loss and the relentless search for what has been lost—a central motif in Melville's work.

The print resonates with Ishmael's reflections on fate and the human condition, as the ship Rachel becomes a metaphor for the fragility of life and the consequences of obsession. Sances' stylistic choices, including the swirling patterns in the background and the dramatic interplay of light and shadow, mirror the chaotic journey of Ahab and his crew. Through "Rachel," viewers are invited to contemplate the broader themes of sacrifice, revenge, and the quest for understanding in an indifferent universe, firmly rooting the artwork in the rich literary tradition of Moby Dick.