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

James McBey etched this artwork called 'Approaching New York, No.2' with a plate and needle. I can almost see McBey leaning over the edge of the boat with his plate, breathing in the salty air. The needle scratches across the surface, making hundreds of tiny marks. What a thing to arrive to New York on a boat filled with people and with the buildings in the background seeming so incredibly far away. He is looking back at us from the boat but also forward toward a new life in a new world. I imagine he is thinking about the endless possibilities and opportunities but also the unknown and the potential for disappointment. McBey's print reminds me of other artists who have captured the feeling of displacement and longing such as Edward Hopper or Jacob Lawrence.