Wells-on-Sea, a Norfolk Village c. 20th century

Editor: This is James McBey's etching, Wells-on-Sea, a Norfolk Village. The detail in the boats is striking, considering the scale and medium. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the etcher's craft. Note the lines, the plate, the acid. These are the instruments of labor that create the image. How does McBey's choice of etching as a medium reflect the industrialized world around him? Editor: That’s a very interesting perspective. I was focused on the aesthetic qualities, but you brought the material process into sharp focus. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, by examining the materials and techniques, we understand the historical and social implications embedded within the art itself.