Ely Yard 1909

This is Muirhead Bone’s etching, Ely Yard, made in the early 20th century. Bone's mark-making here is like a delicate dance of lines, a real testament to how much can be said with so little. Check out the texture he creates with just a few well-placed scratches on the plate, particularly in the thatched roof. You can almost feel the roughness. Look how the ladder against the wall leans, not quite straight, and the way the tree branches tangle. It’s these little imperfections that make the scene feel alive. Bone's work reminds me of Whistler, actually, that same interest in capturing a fleeting moment, an atmosphere. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art isn't about perfection, but about capturing a feeling, an impression, a moment in time.