Sea and Rain 1914

James McBey made this etching, Sea and Rain, using line to create an immersive environment. It’s not so much about what the scene looks like but what it feels like. The way McBey uses the etching needle feels like he's channeling the weather itself. Look how the scratches and scribbles build up, dense and chaotic, especially in the foreground. These aren't just marks; they're the wind, the waves, the rain, all fighting for space on the plate. Then there’s the dark mass in the middle ground which looks like boats. They are rendered with sharp lines. All of this gives you a sense of the physical world and how it feels when you are out at sea. The whole image shimmers, reminding me a little of Whistler and his moody, atmospheric prints, where the subject is less important than the overall sensation. It makes me wonder about the relationship between seeing and feeling, and how art can tap into those blurry, in-between spaces.