Canal at Charenton 1901

Donald Shaw MacLaughlan made this image of the Canal at Charenton using etching. Can you imagine him, bent over the plate, carefully scratching the surface, making those tiny marks that add up to so much? Look closely, and you can almost feel the hum of the city just beyond the trees. See how he's used line to create depth, pulling us into the scene? I bet MacLaughlan was trying to capture a feeling, a moment of peace. I bet he took inspiration from the Impressionists; he must have, right? I wonder if he knew Whistler and Haden? What I love about art is how it all connects. It is all just one big conversation, with each artist adding their own voice. MacLaughlan has added his. We're so lucky to be able to listen in, aren't we?