Dawn, Cuenca 

Muirhead Bone’s ‘Dawn, Cuenca’ presents a monochromatic vista rendered in charcoal, capturing the awakening of a Spanish cityscape. The dense network of lines sketches rooftops in the foreground, leading the eye towards the detailed cityscape, where a spire and tower punctuate the skyline. The composition is structured by contrasting textures and tonal variations. The sharp, angular lines of the rooftops contrast with the softer, more diffuse rendering of the hills. These formal elements evoke a sense of depth and spatial complexity. The scene destabilizes traditional landscape expectations, focusing on the built environment as a natural form shaped by human activity. Bone uses the medium to explore the interplay between light and shadow. This etching captures a fleeting moment and also reflects on the processes of urban development and historical continuity. The lack of vibrant colour directs our attention to the structural elements and underlying forms, inviting contemplation on how we perceive and construct our surroundings.