The Trawler 1926

Arthur Briscoe made this etching, “The Trawler”, using a technique that’s all about touch and pressure. See how the lines aren’t just lines? They’re alive. Look closely at the hull of the boat, how it cuts through the waves. The artist really dug into the plate to get that dark, gritty texture, giving the boat a real weight, a feeling of being tossed about but also stubbornly present. You can almost feel the spray and hear the creak of the wood. Then notice the light scratches suggesting the sky, such a contrast to the density below. The etching reminds me a bit of some of James McNeill Whistler’s seascapes. Both artists use a kind of understated poetry to capture the essence of the sea, proving art is not just what you see, but how you feel it.