The Auld Brig, Ayr 1905

This is Muirhead Bone's tiny etching of The Auld Brig, Ayr, made with ink on a plate. Looking at it, I can feel the process, each mark a decision, a response. It's all about lines, their weight and direction, building up the form. I love how the texture is created with these tightly packed strokes, it’s almost like you could reach out and feel the rough surface of the stone. The dark lines create depth, but there’s also this incredible lightness, particularly in the reflections on the water. See that cluster of darker lines near the base of the bridge? They almost vibrate with energy, pulling the whole structure down into the river. Bone reminds me a little of Whistler, in the way he uses etching to capture a sense of place, but with a grittier edge, like he’s interested in the bones of the city, not just its beautiful skin. Art is like that, a conversation across time, each artist adding their own voice, their own way of seeing. There's no right way to see a piece, just your way.