The Orange Seller 1912

This etching of ‘The Orange Seller’ is by the Scottish artist James McBey. Observe how the image is dominated by a dense arrangement of linear strokes that convey a bustling market scene. The artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to create areas of shadow and depth, particularly in the foreground with the figures and baskets of oranges. Consider how the composition is structured into distinct layers. In the foreground, we see the orange sellers and their wares. The middle ground is filled with the activity of the marketplace, and in the distance, the stark architecture of the city. The etching technique allows McBey to create a textural contrast between the smooth, open space of the sky and the busy details of the market. The artist captures the essence of a fleeting moment. Through the formal structure, we can find the cultural context of North African life at the time, yet the interpretation remains open, inviting continual engagement.