Tuscany 1909

This is Donald Shaw MacLaughlan’s etching, Tuscany, and it's a lesson in how much information can be conveyed with such a simple palette and set of marks. It’s not just a picture of a place, it’s a document of a process. Look closely, and you'll notice that the texture is key. The lines are etched into the plate with an intensity that varies, creating depth and light with such limited means. The hatching on the trees on either side feel like individual moments of decision making, each stroke deliberate, contributing to a cumulative, shimmering whole. See how the lighter lines of the landscape beyond create this delicate, soft contrast against the crisp, definite marks of the architecture. The spirit of Whistler comes to mind in MacLaughlan’s piece; both artists knew that artmaking is like an ongoing conversation, with each work adding a new perspective. It's open ended.