Loch Eil 1929 - 1930

David Young Cameron made this etching of Loch Eil, using line as a means of describing light as well as form. The composition is so minimal, the technique so refined, it’s like a whisper of a landscape. Look at the way he’s used these delicate lines to create a whole world! The texture of the paper plays such an important role, too, as the etched lines barely stand out from the surface. There's a stand of trees in the background which are described by tiny vertical marks. This has the effect of creating both a sense of distance and a sense of atmosphere. Cameron was a master printmaker, and you can see the influence of Whistler in his work, but he developed his own unique style. He also reminds me of the American painter, James McNeill Whistler, who used a similarly muted palette. Ultimately, both artists show us how art can be a form of visual poetry.