Malcolm Salaman, No.2 1915

James McBey created this drypoint etching, “Malcolm Salaman, No.2”. The composition is dominated by the figure’s form, sketched with fine, deliberate lines that define his ample shape against the muted backdrop. The texture, achieved through the drypoint technique, gives a tactile quality to the image, inviting a sense of immediacy and presence. McBey's approach to portraiture here transcends mere representation. The semiotic interplay between the sitter's corporeal form and the artist's linear expression suggests a commentary on perception and presence. The sparseness of the lines and the strategic use of negative space allow us to engage with the subject not just visually, but also conceptually. The work functions as a sign, prompting questions about how we perceive and construct identity through artistic mediums. It invites ongoing interpretation, where the act of seeing becomes an act of understanding the subtle cues that art offers.