Little Poigny 1906

Donald Shaw MacLaughlan made this etching called Little Poigny in 1906, and it looks like a fleeting glance at a humble scene. I love how MacLaughlan uses the etched line to create depth and shadow. See how the density of the lines builds up the dark, leafy presence of the tree on the left? It’s almost like he’s sculpting the space with these tiny marks. Then, the way the lines thin out and become more sparse as they move toward the horizon – it gives you a real sense of distance. What I find interesting is the contrast between the wildness of the foliage and the angular architecture. It’s a dance between the organic and the geometric, a common theme in art that looks at our place in the natural world. I'm reminded of Whistler's etchings, but with a touch more grit. Ultimately, it’s this embrace of imperfection, this sense of art as a record of process that makes the piece sing.