Le Naufragé et la Mer

Arthur Rackhams image of Le Naufragé et la Mer. Found in Fables d'Ésope, traduction nouvelle; illustrée par Arthur Rackham. Translated by Arthur Rackham, Paris: Hachette et Cie, 1913.

Arthur Rackham's illustration Le Naufragé et la Meris a captivating imagination of the Aesop's Fable also known as "The Shipwrecked Man and the Sea". 

The artistry of this illustration captivates the emotions of the story without the on-looker needing to read it. The browns and blues Rackham used really illustrate the tragedy of the wrecked ship. In art, blue has often represented sadness and negative emotions which is what the man must be feeling about having lost his ship. The image of the water women is also very eye catching as that is the main focus of the illustration, so much so you hardly notice the man at first glance. This portrays that nature will always be greater than humans and will rule over human life. The grey coloring at the top is potrayel of the storm - the dark clouds represent the dark time and the darkness the man is feeling. 

The first look at this illustration viewers might think the water women is frighting and a little unnerving. This represents how the sailor might have felt when he saw the storm and waves approaching. Therefore this illustration allows the viewers to imagine the feelings of the story characters. 

Along with the images accurate portrayel of emotions through coloring the image itself reflects the story greatly. However, despite what some might think the women was not responsible for the wreck the winds created the waves and caused the sea to lash out.

Below the Aesop's Fable is linked in both the Original French and English versions. 

French Version & English Version

Page Created: Sophie Whitehead