According to Reynolds and Sjodahl, the expression "pleasant pictures" (2 Nephi 12:16) refers to the standards or figure heads of the ships. In Acts 28:11 the student will find an illustration of the meaning of this expression. There we are informed that the ship in which Paul traveled from Malta to Rome had Castor and Pollux for a "sign." Those mythical twin sons of Zeus were the supposed protectors of the ship, and their images were painted, or sculptured in a prominent place on the ship. Others had different protectors and therefore different images and standards. But idols, whether on land or sea will be utterly destroyed in the wrath of the day of the Lord. [George Reynolds and Janne M. Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1, p. 325]
2 Nephi 12:16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish ([Illustration]): This Byzantine mosaic of a ship, found in Hisham's Palace near Jericho, may be similar in appearance to the ships of Tarshish. Photograph by Tana and Mac Graham. [Donald W. Parry, Visualizing Isaiah, p. 26]
2 Nephi 12:16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish ([Illustration]): A model of a Canaanite merchant ship. During the Old Testament period, ships carried a variety of goods for merchants and seamen for navies. The Phoenicians, especially, were famous for their transport of merchandise on elaborately built ships to Mediterranean seaports. Photograph by Arnold H. Green. [Donald W. Parry, Visualizing Isaiah, p. 27]
2 Nephi 12:16 The rivers of Egypt ([Illustration]): Map: Egypt at the time of Isaiah. [Donald W. Parry, Visualizing Isaiah. p.27]