Artwork
Ten Pound Island Gloucester
Ten Pound Island Gloucester is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James Craig Nicoll. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
This etching shows a simple view of Ten Pound Island in Gloucester Harbor.
This etching shows a simple view of Ten Pound Island in Gloucester Harbor. The dark lines of the trees stand out against the light sky. The water looks calm with a few faint ripples.
James Craig Nicoll made this print in 1886. He used etching, a technique where acid bites lines into a metal plate. The drypoint adds extra texture to the shadows.
Look up etching on the National Gallery of Art, Washington website.
Overview
James Craig Nicoll’s 1886 print, titled Ten Pound Island Gloucester, is an etching that captures a tranquil scene of Ten Pound Island within the harbor of Gloucester. The composition presents a clear sky, a calm water surface marked by subtle ripples, and the dark silhouettes of trees that define the island’s outline.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on the modest landform of Ten Pound Island, a recognizable feature of Gloucester Harbor. By emphasizing the contrast between the dark arboreal forms and the light sky, the work conveys a quiet, observational perspective on a familiar coastal landscape, inviting viewers to consider the subtle interplay of land, water, and atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Nicoll employed traditional etching methods, incising lines into a metal plate with acid to achieve precise outlines. He supplemented the plate with drypoint work, a manual technique that deepens shadows and adds a tactile quality to darker areas. The combination yields a nuanced tonal range, with crisp linear detail alongside softer, textured shading.
History & Provenance
Created in 1886, the print reflects Nicoll’s engagement with New England maritime subjects during the late nineteenth century. While specific ownership records are limited, the work is documented in collections that catalogue American etchings of the period, illustrating the artist’s contribution to the regional printmaking tradition.
Artist & collection
Artist
James Craig Nicoll (1846–1918) was an American artist, born in New York City.
