In the Marble City 1909

Donald Shaw MacLaughlan made "In the Marble City," a monochromatic print, using etching, and it's currently hanging out here at The Art Institute of Chicago. It's all about the lines, isn't it? The way he scratches them in to create depth and shadow, it feels immediate, like he's drawing what he sees, but in reverse, on a plate. Look how the etched lines create this whole world of texture, from the smooth marble to the rougher stonework. I love how he uses this scratchy, almost nervous line to build up the darks, especially inside that archway. It's not just about showing us a building; it’s about the feeling of being in this place. You can almost feel the cool air coming off those marble steps. It reminds me a little of Piranesi, but with a more intimate, personal touch. Like he's inviting us to wander through this city with him, one etched line at a time. It’s like a conversation, a visual back-and-forth that keeps unfolding the more you look.