Jack 1902

Donald Shaw MacLaughlan made this etching, Jack, at an unknown date. Look how he’s created Jack’s fur with a mass of tiny lines, a real frenzy of marks. You can feel how, in the making, his hand must have moved with a kind of restless energy, almost vibrating! There’s something about the way he’s built up the texture of the dog’s coat that's really interesting. It’s all done with these etched lines that create a sense of depth and volume. But look closely, and you’ll see how some areas are more densely worked than others. The tail especially is made of darker marks, a kind of scribble, which gives it a shaggy, untamed feel that contrasts with the relative smoothness of the dog’s body. It reminds me of the work of Whistler, who also used etching to capture fleeting moments and atmospheric effects. Ultimately, it’s a piece that invites you to slow down and savor the subtle nuances of line and tone, but also to imagine Jack and what he might have been thinking.