Distant Salute 1925

Curator: This ethereal cityscape before us is "Distant Salute," an etching by James McBey, dating back to 1925. McBey was a master of light, as you can readily witness here. Editor: It has such a ghostly feel. The image seems to dissolve into the mist, almost like a memory of a city rather than its solid form. There’s a definite feeling of melancholic beauty. Curator: Indeed. Notice how the delicate lines of the etching create this shimmering effect. The cityscape itself is rendered with incredible detail, though softened by the atmosphere. It depicts Venice, as indicated in its inscription "Motre au solde 1925 Venice" on the bottom left. Editor: Venice, yes, and the choice of subject only strengthens that air of romantic decay, doesn’t it? Venice, the city of canals, of masked balls, now captured as if it were fading into the past. The artist seems less interested in a topographical depiction than the atmosphere and mood. Curator: I would agree, and it connects with how Venice itself, even in the 1920s, was already heavily burdened with its own history and identity. This work operates almost like an elegy. Notice too the sailing ships; they’re carrying forward Venetian tradition but presented in a hazy and blurred way. It asks us whether Venice itself is actually sinking or still afloat. Editor: Those sailing ships also have such weight – they have the full brunt of McBey’s treatment of shadow, particularly against the light emptiness of the water. Perhaps their density symbolizes both the past but also the material wealth of the merchant republic of Venice. I imagine this play on contrasts really highlights what etching can achieve, but also speaks to broader historical tensions too. Curator: Exactly! This print isn't just a picturesque scene; it invites a contemplation of Venice, memory, and impermanence itself. We witness an interplay between the solidity of history and the ethereal nature of time. Editor: A rather moving reflection, all told. I hadn't expected something so profound from what first appeared to be just a delicate, light sketch. Curator: McBey certainly rewards a closer look!