Passageway, Rouen 1899

Donald Shaw MacLaughlan created this etching, Passageway, Rouen, using a metal plate, acid, and paper. Look closely, and you’ll see how the artist manipulated the etching process to create a sense of depth and texture. He carefully controlled the amount of acid exposure to achieve varying degrees of darkness and detail. The dense network of lines creates a palpable sense of atmosphere and weight, evoking the feeling of a narrow, enclosed space. The choice of etching, a printmaking technique associated with craft and reproduction, lends itself well to the subject matter: a humble, everyday scene. The labor-intensive process mirrors the hard work and industry of the people who inhabit this passageway. By elevating this scene to the level of fine art, MacLaughlan challenges traditional hierarchies between art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the beauty and significance of the ordinary. Through his mastery of materials and process, MacLaughlan transforms a simple passageway into a powerful social commentary, reminding us to look closely at the world around us and value the work of human hands.