Drying Sails 1919

Philip Little made this etching called Drying Sails at no specific date. The way he’s worked the surface, it's all about the touch, you know? Look at how the lines vary – some are light and feathery, others darker, really digging into the plate. It's like he's feeling his way through the scene, letting the image emerge from the process. The water isn’t just water; it’s a field of tiny marks, reflecting light, shimmering. And then those sails, each one a slightly different shape. There is a particular spot where the reflection of the largest sail is almost completely black – this anchors the piece and adds to the feeling of serene weight. It reminds me of Whistler, but maybe a bit more rugged. It’s the kind of piece that grows on you, revealing new details each time you look. It shows how art is really about seeing, thinking, and feeling all at once.