Pablo Neruda's Ship Figureheads

Carol A. Olsen is an independent scholar and researcher with decades of experience in art and maritime history. Her work has appeared in the International Journal of Nautical Archaeology and Sea History.

• List of Illustrations Foreword by Fernando SÁez Garcia Preface Acknowledgments Introduction: How Pablo Neruda Collected Ship Figureheads Chapter 1. Neruda’s Male Figureheads Chapter 2. Neruda’s Female Figureheads Chapter 3. Neruda’s DÉcor Pieces Resembling Ship Figureheads Conclusion Appendix A: Pablo Neruda Poems about Ship Figureheads Appendix B: Two Other Figureheads in Chile Notes Bibliography Index

"Olsen combines art history and nautical archaeology expertise as she unveils Pablo Neruda's obsession for acquiring ship figureheads, his poetic writings about them, and how figureheads fit into his life. This well-written interdisciplinary analysis is an important contribution."—Larry Silver, Farquhar Professor of Art History, emeritus, University of Pennsylvania, and author of Europe Views the World, 1500–1700"Olsen shows a keen understanding of figurehead forms and carving styles. Throughout [this work], both overtly stated and in subtle ways, the author applies the background knowledge, research sources, and common sense of an experienced figurehead historian."—Daniel Finamore, author and editor of In American Waters: The Sea in American Painting"Carol Olsen's latest study of figureheads bridges the gap between solid art-historical scholarship and the mysticism of Pablo Neruda's poetry. She investigates not only the colourful origins of a unique collection of sculptures but how those remnants of a seafaring past took up a central place in the life and work of the poet."—Fred Hocker, director of research, Vasa Museum, Stockholm, Sweden; maritime archaeologist; former wooden shipwright; and author of Vasa: A Swedish Warship