Ailsa, plate twenty from the Clyde Set 1889

David Young Cameron created ‘Ailsa, plate twenty from the Clyde Set’ using etching, a printmaking technique that involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The magic of etching lies in the alchemical dance between the artist, the metal, and the acid. Cameron carefully controlled this volatile process to achieve the image’s subtle tonal variations. This piece is one of a set that depicts the River Clyde, an important place for shipbuilding, which drove Scotland's economy. It reflects the industrious landscape that was built upon intense labor. The etched lines define the forms of ships, birds, and the distant Ailsa Craig, each rendered with remarkable clarity despite the print’s overall quiet mood. As you look closely, consider how Cameron transformed an industrial landscape into a scene of subtle beauty, elevating the everyday through skilled craft. Ultimately, this print reminds us that art and industry can intertwine, offering new ways to see and value the world around us.