San Gimignano 1909

Donald Shaw MacLaughlan made this etching of San Gimignano, with no known date, but you can see that the lines pull you into the vista, don't you think? The detail is so rich and textured. Look at the little figures on the path, then your eye lifts to the landscape with its hatching and cross-hatching. It's a real testament to the power of line, as everything is conveyed using a monochrome palette. The artist’s hand feels so present. It’s like he's inviting you to feel the sun on your face in the Italian countryside! MacLaughlan was known for his printmaking, and you can see the influence of artists like Whistler in his ability to capture the feeling of a place through careful observation and technical skill. It’s like a love letter to a place, full of ambiguity, but also full of feeling.