The Old Tower c. 19th century

This is William B. Closson's etching, "The Old Tower," a small study within a large sheet, evoking a sense of nostalgic distance. The composition, with its intricate network of fine lines, builds a detailed depiction of a medieval tower. The texture, achieved through closely placed hatching, gives a tactile quality to the stone and foliage, drawing us into its aged reality. Closson plays with the contrast between light and shadow to define the tower's form and create depth. Note how the sky, filled with delicate cloud formations, adds an ethereal quality. The old tower, depicted through Closson’s formal approach, is not just a historical structure. Instead, it is a meditation on time, memory, and the aesthetic experience of architecture. The print embodies a formal investigation into how light, texture, and composition can evoke emotional and intellectual responses. Through a conscious arrangement of visual elements, the tower becomes a sign, rich in historical and cultural meaning.