Vinaroz - Boat Building 1911

James McBey created this etching, titled 'Vinaroz - Boat Building,' sometime in the early 20th century. The image shows a boat under construction in Vinaròs, a coastal town in Spain. McBey was fascinated by the cultural scenes of everyday life. Here, the focus isn't on grand historical events, but on the local industry of boat building. Look at the visual codes: the rough, unfinished state of the boat contrasts with the solid, established architecture behind it. This contrast could suggest the tensions between tradition and progress, or between the local and the global. Spain at this time was undergoing significant social and political change. It was a period of industrialization, urbanization, and growing social unrest. The etching doesn't directly address these issues, but its choice of subject matter—a traditional industry in a small town—could be interpreted as a commentary on the changing face of Spanish society. To fully understand this artwork, we need to delve into the social history of early 20th century Spain, exploring the economic conditions, labor practices, and cultural values of the time.