(close-up section from larger work on paper)
The long red streaks of paint in this snippet seem to suggest strands of red coral (Corallium rubrum) floating amongst green seaweed, rocks and various plant life found in the sea. In antiquity the Romans would hang branches of red coral around their children's neck to protect them from evil spirits.
Red coral, like many aquatic treasures harvested from the sea is now on the endangered species list.