On the Main Yard 1925

"On the Main Yard" (1925) is an etching by British artist Arthur Briscoe (1873-1943). The piece captures a dramatic viewpoint from the deck of a sailing ship, looking up at the main yard and the sailors working on the rigging. The stark lines and crosshatching of the etching create a sense of the ship's movement and the sailors' exertion, conveying the physicality and danger of life at sea. This detailed depiction of maritime life is a hallmark of Briscoe's artistic style, and "On the Main Yard" is a powerful example of his ability to capture the beauty and the brutality of the sea.