Architectural Study c. 1935 - 1943

This is Max Mougel’s "Architectural Study", an etching from the first half of the 20th century. An etching – it’s all about process; a dance between the artist, the plate, and the acid bath. Look at the way Mougel uses line – thin, precise, and layered. It’s not just about depicting buildings; it’s about building up a world, an atmosphere. Notice the contrast between the sharp lines of the buildings and the softer, almost blurry effect in the sky. The light feels grey, but it shimmers. The city feels solid, but you could touch it and it would disappear. My favorite part? The lone figure walking down the street, his shadow stretching out behind him, it pulls you in. It reminds me a bit of Piranesi, that same sense of epic scale. But then it could be an early Diebenkorn; the composition has that same stark clarity. It’s a conversation, right? These artists speaking across time. And in the end, what does it all mean? Who knows! Isn’t that the point?