The London Stock Exchange 1930

Anton Schutz's etching of The London Stock Exchange pulls you right into the heart of the city. You can almost hear the chatter of the crowd. I imagine the artist, back in the day, carefully layering each stroke, letting the image emerge bit by bit. Look how the lines of the buildings converge, drawing your eye to the Stock Exchange in the distance. It reminds me of Piranesi's architectural fantasies, but with a very real human element. The buildings are impressive, but it's the people that make this etching sing. Each figure is rendered with just a few lines, yet they convey so much about the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s a beautiful dance between precision and spontaneity. What do you make of it?