Racing 1927

"Racing" by Philip Little, is an etching that depicts boats sailing on the ocean. I can imagine Philip Little hunched over his etching plate, carefully and precisely drawing the image of these racing boats with a sharp needle. The marks feel so direct and economical, just enough to conjure the scene. You can almost feel the wind whipping through the sails and the spray of the water as the boats cut through the waves. The image is composed of light lines and tonal variations, giving the scene a dreamy quality as if viewed through a misty gaze. It’s a study of light and movement captured in a moment. Little’s work resonates with that of other etchers and printmakers who sought to capture the ephemeral beauty of the natural world. There is a sense of shared inspiration that binds artists together across time. And each one teaches us new ways of seeing and feeling.