Approaching New York, No.2 (Upright Plate) 1929 - 1934

James McBey made this etching, Approaching New York, No.2 (Upright Plate), sometime in the early 20th century, and you can see right away, it’s all about line and the way it defines a space. Look how the etched lines capture a moment of arrival. You’re on the deck of a ship, and the city rises in the distance, rendered in the lightest of strokes, almost like a mirage. The texture of the scene is amazing; the cross-hatching creates depth, while the smoothness of the water contrasts with the busyness of the ship. And those tiny figures – each one a universe of hopes and dreams. The details are just suggestive enough, leaving so much to our imagination. McBey’s earlier landscapes, like his Moroccan scenes, share this sense of vastness and the human figure's smallness within it. Yet, there’s something about this piece that reminds me of Whistler – that same delicate touch and attention to atmosphere, proving art’s an ongoing, beautiful conversation.