A Tartane Leaving Venice 1925

James McBey created this etching, *A Tartane Leaving Venice*, using fine lines and tones to capture a boat gliding through water. The process of etching involves a collaboration between the artist, the metal plate, and the chemical bath, almost like a dance! I can imagine McBey standing by the water's edge, squinting in the light, trying to capture the essence of Venice, with its iconic architecture and shimmering light. The way he's rendered the water with these quick, flickering lines makes me think of other artists like Whistler, who were also obsessed with capturing fleeting atmospheric effects. See how the delicate lines create a sense of depth and movement. You can almost feel the boat cutting through the water. These types of marks create feelings. There is nothing accidental in a work like this. It reminds me how artists continue to inspire each other across time and place.