Macdougal Alley Scotch 1933

George Kenneth Hartwell’s etching titled ‘Macdougal Alley Scotch’ is a beautiful and intricate work in black and white. I can almost see him there, carefully scratching away at the plate with his etching needle, building up these delicate lines, layer upon layer. It makes me think about the tradition of printmaking, and how it offers such a different way of seeing and experiencing the world than painting. Like a photograph, Hartwell captures a specific place and moment in time. The neighborhood is so still and quiet, almost lonely. I imagine the artist stopping here on his daily walks, watching the dogs go by. The way the light falls across the buildings suggests a time of day. Look closely at the figures; the soft lines suggesting their features, their clothing, their posture. What are they thinking and feeling? I wonder how it connects to his other works, and how these artists inspire one another to find beauty in the everyday.