The Capstan 1930

John Theodore Edward Stoll made this print called ‘The Capstan’; I don’t know when exactly, but he lived between 1889 and 1974, and it looks like a scene on a ship, created with etching. I love how the lines are almost like raindrops, giving everything a kind of shimmering energy. The whole thing is made of lines, hatching and cross-hatching, some areas are built up with dense, scratchy marks that create depth and shadow, while others are more open and light. Notice the capstan itself, that wheel-like thing with figures walking around it; it's drawn with so much attention to detail, you can almost hear the creaking of the wood and the strain of the ropes. Then, look at the way the artist renders the sails – these big, billowing shapes are defined by these long, flowing lines, it's like he's capturing the very essence of the wind. It reminds me of Piranesi's architectural prints, all those intricate details, but with a more intimate, human feel.