La Flêche, Rouen 1903

Donald Shaw MacLaughlan made this etching, titled La Flêche, Rouen, sometime in the early 20th century. It depicts the towering spire of Rouen Cathedral, framed by the narrow, winding streets of the city. MacLaughlan, an American artist working in Europe, employs the etching technique to capture the grandeur of Gothic architecture and the charm of the old urban landscape. The image creates meaning through the contrast between the imposing cathedral, a symbol of religious authority and civic pride, and the more humble domestic and commercial buildings that surround it. This contrast could be interpreted in light of the growing secularism in Europe at the time. To fully appreciate this work, we might consider the relationship between religious institutions and society during the period. We can use social and institutional histories to understand the changing roles of art and religion. Ultimately, the meaning of this etching is contingent on its social and institutional context.