The New Town, Edinburgh 1905

Curator: This is "The New Town, Edinburgh," an etching created by James McBey in 1905. Editor: Immediately striking is the atmospheric quality—almost gothic. The dense network of etched lines gives the cityscape a brooding, textured feel. It’s predominantly dark, conveying a palpable sense of weight and perhaps even unease. Curator: That heaviness, I think, reflects the rapidly changing urban landscape of the early 20th century. Edinburgh, while historic, was on the cusp of modernization, and this print captures that moment of transition. The etching technique itself, with its layered lines and deep shadows, mirrors the complexities and uncertainties of urban growth. Editor: The composition emphasizes that feeling. The sharp, angular buildings forming the skyline, punctuated by occasional, soft glows suggestive of lamplight in the distance, produce stark contrasts. The artist's perspective renders the scene somewhat alienating. It is very abstracted and symbolic. Curator: Precisely. The etching technique contributes to this, allowing McBey to play with light and shadow in a way that amplifies the emotional impact. These dense, dark shadows, alongside the stark, bright highlights give this print a powerful symbolism. Cities can offer much opportunity, but their expansion can come at great cost. McBey's vision seems to communicate a palpable warning about urbanization. Editor: Looking again, the texture created by the artist is remarkable. This wasn't achieved solely with lines but also through tone and contrast, offering layers of visual information to consider. The cross-hatching and unevenly bitten areas add to the textural variation and thus to a slightly unnerving depiction of an otherwise serene cityscape. It almost feels like the visual depiction of an industrial nightmare! Curator: Your analysis of its materiality certainly underscores the sense of unease that the image evokes! Thanks to the unique ability of etching to convey detailed layers of historical and social meaning, McBey certainly presents a potent narrative in this print. Editor: An unexpectedly provocative meditation. Seeing its form more clearly has given me cause to think a bit differently!