Among the Ice Floes

Bradford employed traditional intaglio etching, incising fine lines into a metal plate to render intricate details such as rope rigging, the texture of ice, and the subtle gradations of sky and water. The monochrome palette relies on tonal contrast, with white ice against deep black water, creating a crisp, atmospheric effect characteristic of late‑19th‑century marine prints.

Created in 1890, the work belongs to Bradford’s prolific output of maritime subjects during a period when American artists were documenting coastal life. While specific ownership records are limited, the print has been catalogued in several collections of 19th‑century American prints, reflecting its role in representing the era’s interest in nautical and polar subjects.