The Harbor, Quebec, Canada c. 1910

H. Ivan Neilson made this etching of The Harbour, Quebec, Canada, at some point in his lifetime, using a metal plate and acid. It’s fascinating how the whole scene emerges from this dense, almost frantic network of lines. You can almost feel him scratching away at the plate, making this really immediate, gestural record of the harbor. The texture here is everything, right? Look at the water, how it shimmers and reflects, all achieved with these tiny, close-packed lines. And then compare that to the solid bulk of the ships, rendered with a much heavier, more emphatic touch. The overall effect is almost dreamlike, as if we're peering through a mist or fog at this busy harbor scene. Notice that one little boat near the center? It's kind of swallowed up by the activity surrounding it, yet, it’s so important as it gives a sense of scale, and invites you into the scene. Neilson’s work reminds me a bit of Whistler, with his interest in atmosphere and the poetry of everyday life. Like Whistler, he shows us how much beauty can be found in the most ordinary of places. It’s a reminder that art is all about looking, really looking, and finding magic in the mundane.