1917
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
The Great War: Britain's Efforts and Ideals; Building Ships: A Shipyard Seen from a Big Crane is a 1917 by Muirhead Bone, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This drawing shows a busy shipyard from high up, like you’re hanging from a giant crane. Thick black lines crisscross everywhere—beams, wires, and machinery fill the space, while tiny dots below look like workers. The whole scene is messy but precise, with no clean edges. The artist focused on the chaos of war work, showing how ships are built piece by piece. The lines feel tight and controlled, even though the subject is huge and complicated. Next, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see this drawing in person.
Sir Muirhead Bone (23 March 1876 – 21 October 1953) was a Scottish etcher and watercolourist who became known for his depiction of industrial and architectural subjects and his work as a war artist in both the First and Second World Wars.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
