Antwerp 1922 - 1923

This is James McBey's "Antwerp", an etching that captures a harbor scene with incredible lightness. There's a real sense of immediacy here, like McBey sketched this right on the spot. The magic is in the details - those feathery lines that build up the boats, the water, and the city skyline. See how he uses drypoint to create that velvety dark accent, especially in the reflections on the water and to describe the hulls of the ships? It's like a dance of light and shadow, giving the scene a moody, atmospheric feel. McBey's mark-making reminds me of Whistler, both in their love for etching and capturing fleeting moments. But where Whistler often went for a hazy, dreamlike quality, McBey feels more grounded, more immediate. It's a beautiful reminder that art isn't about perfect representation, but about capturing a feeling, a moment, with a few well-placed lines.