The Historic Landing 1913 - 1915

Frank Brangwyn made this drawing called 'The Historic Landing' with what looks like ink on paper. I wonder if it's a study for a larger painting. You can see Brangwyn build up the image with these bold strokes, almost like he's carving out the shapes with his brush. The ship looms, a dark, hulking mass, contrasting with the figures making their way to shore. Maybe he was thinking about history paintings, about how artists depict important events, and how to convey drama. I imagine him moving quickly, trying to capture the energy of the scene, deciding where to put the emphasis, what to leave out. In the end, Brangwyn leaves us to fill in the blanks. It reminds me that painting is an act of conversation and interpretation.