"1588" 1912

Editor: So, here we have James McBey's etching and drypoint, "\"1588,\"" created in 1912. It depicts a ship in rough seas, viewed from a craggy coastline. It feels quite ominous to me; the ship seems about to be wrecked. What strikes you when you look at this work? Curator: You know, the immediacy of it grabs me, almost like a sketch from life. The energy in the lines, the raw texture… it bypasses the intellect a bit, goes straight for the gut. What do you make of the figures huddled on the cliffs? Editor: I hadn't really focused on them... They seem so small and insignificant against the scale of the scene, like witnesses to some grand tragedy. Curator: Exactly! Perhaps reflecting the precariousness of human life, or the awesome power of nature – forces beyond our control. Look at how McBey uses line to create a sense of movement; it’s almost like we can *hear* the wind howling. He really captures a feeling of romantic sublime. I'm curious, does the title change your interpretation at all? Does the year 1588 suggest something? Editor: Yes! Now that you mention it, 1588, that’s the year of the Spanish Armada. Is he suggesting some historical resonance? Or just a dramatic seascape? Curator: Ah, now there’s a thought. Maybe both, intertwining human drama with historical echoes. Or perhaps inviting the viewer to their own sea of introspection and to discover what historical sea defines them? Editor: I hadn't considered it in such personal terms! Seeing those figures dwarfed by the landscape makes the history much more…palpable. I definitely see it differently now. Thank you. Curator: And thank you for offering a different port from which to contemplate this drawing! A truly worthy piece to guide others with their reflection.