Veere 1926

James McBey made this watercolour, Veere, at some point in his career, it's hard to tell when exactly. You know, with watercolour, it’s all about capturing light, and McBey really nails that. What strikes me most is the way he’s handled the sky. See how the washes of grey and pale blue just kind of bleed into each other? It feels like he’s letting the water do its thing, guiding it but not forcing it. Then, look at the darker lines he uses to define the buildings. There’s this cool contrast between the soft, atmospheric sky and the more structured, architectural elements. That little windmill is so delicate, it reminds me of Whistler's etchings. Maybe he was thinking of Whistler when he made this? It’s like they're having this quiet conversation across time. It’s never about answers, just different ways of seeing.