Ba'al of Motya 30x24 ©Leslie Peterson Sapp
This dreamy nocturne depicts an ancient Phoenician temple complex on the tiny island of Motya, off the coast of Sicily. Dedicated to Ba'al and Astarte, the complex's central feature was a natural spring, which was harnessed to create a beautiful reflective pool. Nearby, a fragment of a large sandstone statue of Ba'al was discovered, and now a replica stands in the restored pool. It is speculated that the pool may have been used to reflect the constellations, which held paramount importance for this seafaring culture.