Harlech Castle, Wales c. 1934

George Elbert Burr created this print of Harlech Castle with etching. The image is built up through these tight, controlled, marks and hatching, it’s almost like he’s trying to rebuild the castle, stone by stone, with each stroke of his etching tool! I imagine Burr hunched over the plate, carefully layering lines to capture the rough texture of the stone and the way the light catches on the battlements. You can almost feel the weight of the castle, the way it sits so powerfully on the landscape. I like imagining Burr thinking about other artists who’ve been inspired by castles, from Turner's dramatic landscapes to contemporary artists who explore themes of power and history. There's this ongoing conversation between artists across time. Each adding their own voice and vision.