Stern Sculptures of the Vasa

The stern of the Vasa, carved in Sweden (early 1620s), features over 500 gilded figures, including Roman emperors and mythological heroes. These sculptures were intended to project royal power and glorify King Gustavus Adolphus. Reflecting 17th-c. propaganda, they aimed to awe both enemies and allies with Sweden’s might, serving as a testament to the era's political and artistic ambitions.