The Sleeping Rag Vendor 1902

Donald Shaw MacLaughlan made this etching, "The Sleeping Rag Vendor," sometime in the early 20th century. The approach to mark-making here is really about suggestion. It’s not about describing every little detail but hinting at the forms, allowing the shadows to fill in the rest. The texture in this piece is palpable. You can almost feel the rough burlap of those sacks and the worn clothes of the vendor. Look at how the light catches the edges of the sacks. The artist is so economical with his lines, but they give you everything you need. It’s like he's saying, "Here’s a little bit, now you do the rest." There's a quiet intimacy in this piece, a kind of respect for the everyday. It reminds me of Whistler's etchings, that same focus on the beauty in the mundane. There’s no grand statement, just a quiet observation. And sometimes, that's more than enough.