The Timber Mill 1913

James McBey made this etching, "The Timber Mill," sometime around August 1919. I love the contrast between light and dark. I can imagine McBey standing there, sketching rapidly, trying to capture the energy of the workers and the massive scale of the logs. The scene is gritty: sawdust and sweat, men straining under the weight. And the cool, quiet light. What's he thinking as he scratches away at that plate? Is he thinking about making a beautiful image or about the lives of these laborers? The dense network of lines creates a sense of depth and texture, pulling us into the space. McBey’s work feels like a conversation with artists like Whistler and Rembrandt, all exploring the possibilities of line and light. It reminds us that art is an ongoing dialogue. Each generation builds upon the discoveries of the past, finding new ways to express the human experience.