The Dragon Ship

John Taylor Arms

John Taylor Arms was less known for his color work and appears to have rarely pursued it in his etchings, favoring the contrast of black and white. However, Arms briefly embarked on a series of color etchings dedicated to the ships throughout time and the world, though he only completed seven images in total but, as is evident in this work, he was equally adept at the subtleties found in hues as he was in tonality.

“Dragon Ship”, from his Ship Series begun in 1921, is image No. 2 from a set of seven color etchings he completed before returning once more to architecture. Its title refers to a particular type of Norse longship, called the dragon-ship, or the drakuskippen, a Viking vessel that was used in both commerce and warfare. Unlike Arms’ “American Clipper Ship” or “Metis”, whose execution was nearly technical in presentation, this ship is seen from an unusual prow-first angle as it approaches the viewer, circled by gulls and contrasted against a clear blue sky. The effect is less technical and more adventurous, as if to illustrate a Scandinavian folktale.

Dragon-ships, called such for the carved dragon heads at the prow, were built and owned by coastal farmers, who cared for the ships through all weather and kept them at the ready for the king, who could assemble a leidang, or fleet of fighting ships, at any time - whether in warfare or with the aim of plundering or colonization. They were deployed as far away as coastal Africa. It is no wonder why the dragon-headed Viking ship has remained an object of mystery and fascination to this day.