Brixham Trawlers 1929

Arthur Briscoe made this etching of Brixham Trawlers, using a metal plate, acid, and ink. This printmaking technique allows for a remarkable level of detail, capturing the rigging and reflections on the water's surface. The etched lines, created by acid biting into the metal, give the image a tactile quality. Look closely, and you can almost feel the rough texture of the boats and the subtle ripples of the water. This effect is achieved through the controlled application of acid, a process demanding skill and precision. Briscoe's choice of subject is also significant. Trawlers, the workhorses of the fishing industry, represent the labor and livelihoods of those who worked the sea. By immortalizing these vessels in print, Briscoe elevates the everyday lives of working people to a subject worthy of artistic attention. It reminds us that art isn't just about grand narratives or famous figures; it's also about the tools we use, and about our relationship to the world around us.