James McBey

The term gothic can conjure darkness, ghostly figures, and looming architecture—all of which are evident in this print. Here, the darkness of night in a Gothic cathedral creates rich shadows punctuated by pinpricks of light. Following the gaze of the tiny person on the left, we are led to Ely Cathedral’s Octagon Tower, where McBey has indicated the slightest hint of a pointed stained-glass window high above.

–RN

McBey’s cathedral interior at night is full of foreboding. While the single light source valiantly pushes back against impending darkness, it fails to illuminate the foreground where we, as viewers, enter the scene. In its dramatization of the effects of light and shadow, this depiction is clearly indebted to Rembrandt, but it offers

more than imitation. Unlike many of Rembrandt’s prints, which often use drypoint, McBey’s image relies entirely upon the etched line, making this work a startling demonstration of what can be accomplished using this single technique.