The Seven Seas - The San Francisco Fall Show

All throughout human history, the lure of the sea has been strong for sailors and travelers alike. The phrase sail the Seven Seas has had different meanings to different people at different times in history. It historically referred to bodies of water along trade routes and regional waters; although in some cases the seas are mythical and not actual bodies of water. Seven Seas has evolved to become a figurative term to describe a sailor who has navigated all the seas and oceans of the world, and not literally seven.

Below from Roberto Freitas: “US Frigate New Castle, New Hampshire” by John Samuel Blunt (1798–1835) signed J. S. Blunt and dated 1828, oil on canvas

A large sailing ship with white sails floats on calm water near rocky shores, evoking the spirit of maritime exploration. Two figures stand by a small boat in the foreground, while additional ships and distant shoreline are visible under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

In order to truly grasp man’s desire to conquer the oceans, let’s turn to the insight (and wit) of some of our greatest authors:

“Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off – then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can.” – Herman Melville

Below from epoca: English oil painting of a schooner entering Liverpool harbor; signed and dated 1835

A framed painting of a large, two-masted sailing ship with red flags on green waters evokes the adventurous spirit of the Seven Seas. Smaller boats and a distant shoreline with buildings and trees appear under a cloudy blue sky, inviting viewers to imagine the rich history and meaning behind legendary maritime journeys.

“The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides.” – Jules Verne

Below from Antonio’s Bella Casa: Grand, hand-beaded, crystal and gilt bronze, three-mast, galleon chandelier from Sicily.

Gold wire model of a sailing ship with three masts, each holding red, white, blue, or green flags. The hull and sails are decorated with sparkling clear crystals, creating an elegant and ornate appearance. Inspired by adventures across the Seven Seas, this exquisite piece evokes the allure of grand voyages on the open ocean. The image is set against a white background.

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Below from Peter Fetterman Gallery: “The Mauretania” (1910) by Alfred Stieglitz, vintage photogravure from Camera Work 36© Estate of Alfred Stieglitz.

A large ocean liner with four smokestacks sails near a dock on a cloudy day, evoking the grandeur of vessels that once traversed the Seven Seas. Wooden piles and ropes are visible in the foreground, while a building with a turret stands to the right. The water appears calm and the ship dominates the horizon.

“He looked across the sea and knew how alone he was now. But he could see the prisms in the deep dark water and the line stretching ahead and the strange undulation of the calm. The clouds were building up now for the trade wind and he looked ahead and saw a flight of wild ducks etching themselves against the sky over the water, then blurring, then etching again and he knew no man was ever alone on the sea.” – Ernest Hemingway

Below from Roberto Freitas: “The Bark Columbia (Ships in New York Harbor)” by Antonio Nicolo Gasparo Jacobsen (1850 – 1921) signed Antonio Jacobsen and dated 1915, oil on board