A Lock at Sandwich, No.2 1912

This etching by James McBey depicts a seemingly tranquil scene with boats on the water near a lock. Consider the mast. It is a potent symbol, stretching back millennia. In ancient Egypt, the obelisk, a slender, tapering monument, mirrored the sun's rays and symbolized stability, creative force, and life. Over time, the mast, like the obelisk, assumed a similar symbolic weight, representing aspiration, guidance, and connection to the divine. Think of how often the mast appears in art across time. Here, the mast of the boat reaches upwards. In our collective memory, we might see echoes of religious iconography. Like the cross in Christian art, this symbol evokes feelings of hope, faith, and transcendence. The mast, then, is not merely a structural element but a powerful cultural artifact engaging with our deepest subconscious yearnings for meaning and orientation.