The Builders 1904

Donald Shaw MacLaughlan made this print, called ‘The Builders’, at an unknown date, using etching. It's an image that emerges through a network of fine lines, a bit like memory itself, where details flicker in and out of focus. Look at the way he renders the load on the cart, those bundles of material feel heavy. The etched line is used to great effect to give the impression of texture and weight, it reminds me of that satisfying feeling of dragging charcoal across paper. The whole scene is defined by labour, the workers straining, the horses stooped in effort. Take a look at the wheel, it's a marvel of detailed lines and cross hatching. It really is wonderful how the artist manages to combine form and function here. You can almost feel the grit of the road beneath the weight of the cart. Looking at it, I'm reminded of Whistler's etchings of the Thames, that same commitment to capturing the nuances of everyday life. This piece embraces ambiguity, inviting us to contemplate the human condition through the lens of hard work.