Venetian Mirror 1935

John Taylor Arms made this Venetian scene with etching on paper. You know, sometimes I think about how artists choose their subjects and how that choice kind of dictates everything that follows. Here, the buildings in Venice loom large, casting their reflections on the still water of the canal. Arms renders this scene with such precision and detail, capturing the texture of the buildings and the gentle ripple of the water. What was he thinking as he etched each line? Was he lost in the beauty of the architecture, or maybe contemplating the passage of time and the weight of history embedded in those ancient walls? I think he was trying to freeze a moment, trying to trap light. The soft gradations of tone create a sense of depth and atmosphere that draw you into the scene, as if you were standing on the banks of the canal yourself, watching the gondolas glide by. There's a long tradition of artists depicting Venice, but each one brings their own unique perspective and sensibility to the subject. They all teach each other to see. Painting helps us see and feel.