In the Trades 1930

Arthur Briscoe made this etching called 'In the Trades', probably sometime in the first half of the 20th century. The whole thing is built up from these tiny hatched marks, like a million little scratches on a plate. Can you imagine the artist bent over, slowly building up the image? It's a real dance between light and shadow. He’s found a way to give you this huge ship, pitching in the ocean, with just a few, very delicate marks. I feel a real sense of empathy for Briscoe – the way he captures the moodiness of the open sea, and the sheer hard work of life onboard. You can almost smell the salt and feel the wind. I see echoes of Whistler, and maybe some Turner in that sky. Artists are always looking and learning, borrowing and transforming. Ultimately, it’s a testament to the power of simple lines, and how they can conjure up an entire world.