Men of Gloucester 1941

Gordon Grant made this etching, "Men of Gloucester," using finely etched lines to build up tone and shadow. It's like he’s building a world, one tiny mark at a time, that reminds us of the process of drawing itself. The etching has this incredible texture, almost like fabric, where the ink catches on the paper. Look closely, and you can see how the diagonal lines create a sense of depth, especially in the sky and the water. It's almost like the whole scene is vibrating, full of a quiet, unseen energy. I love how the texture of the fisherman's coat contrasts with the smoothness of the boat, creating a tactile sense of place. Grant's work reminds me of Edward Hopper's paintings, where you get this sense of solitude and quiet contemplation. Both artists find beauty in the everyday, in the quiet moments that often go unnoticed. With Grant, like with Hopper, there's always something more than what you see on the surface.