Hmcs Grilse on Convoy Duty 1919

Editor: This print, "HMCS Grilse on Convoy Duty," was created by Arthur Lismer in 1919. It looks like an etching, all done in shades of grey. I find it quite ominous, perhaps because of the turbulent sea and dark sky. What do you make of it? Curator: Ominous is a good word. It speaks to me of watchful waiting, doesn't it you? There's this almost palpable tension – a moment before potential action. You can almost feel the engines thrumming. Lismer, you know, was part of the Group of Seven, known for their landscapes, but here he gives us a slice of naval life, etched, literally, with a feeling of what war at sea was really *like.* Does that come across, I wonder, or am I simply projecting? Editor: I definitely see what you mean about the tension, especially knowing its context. It's more than just ships on the water; it's the weight of responsibility and the anticipation of danger. Curator: Exactly! He transforms this everyday scene into a powerful meditation on duty. Have you ever noticed how the waves are rendered? Almost frantic, a flurry of activity compared to the steadfast vessel. He’s playing with contrasts, not just of light and shadow, but also of emotion. And consider the vantage point. We're on the deck, right *in* it. Makes it personal, doesn’t it? Editor: Yes, the viewpoint really pulls you in. It’s like you’re part of the crew, looking out at the convoy. I appreciate how Lismer used a landscape style to capture a sense of place and feeling in such a unique way. Curator: I'm glad to hear that. Lismer uses the immediacy of the scene to make the vastness of conflict feel so near, so urgent. Something for us all to remember.