Shipyard c. 1942

This is Edward Arthur Wilson's "Shipyard", a monochromatic print of an active shipyard. It's all about the cross hatching, the dense, precise, deliberate strokes that build up tone and form and a sense of industry. The whole image buzzes with this kind of energy. There are so many tiny figures swarming over the giant hulls, all rendered with the same careful detail. Check out the way Wilson uses the white of the paper to create highlights, like the glint of sunlight on the metal. It’s almost sculptural. Take a look at the giant propellers. They're like dark, powerful eyes staring out from the ship's side. It's this contrast between the organic forms and the geometry of the ship that keeps me hooked. It makes me think of other artists like Joseph Pennell who were documenting the industrial landscape. Ultimately, this print is a testament to the power of mark-making and its power to create a sense of scale and drama.