Calle del Paradiso 1909

This print, Calle del Paradiso, was created by Donald Shaw MacLaughlan using etching, a printmaking technique that reveals the artist's hand through the intricate lines and textures achieved on the metal plate. The process begins with a metal plate covered in a waxy, acid-resistant ground. The artist draws through this ground, exposing the metal. When the plate is immersed in acid, the exposed lines are bitten, creating grooves. Ink is then applied to the plate, filling these grooves, and the surface is wiped clean. Finally, the plate is pressed onto paper, transferring the image. MacLaughlan skillfully captures the play of light and shadow on the buildings and figures, evoking the atmosphere of a bustling Venetian street. It’s easy to overlook how much labor is involved in the image. The production of the metal plate, the acid, the printing press, and the skilled hand of the artist were all necessary to create this image. By appreciating the material processes involved, we can understand more fully the artistry and the social context in which it was made.