Robin Hood's Bay 1907

This etching, *Robin Hood’s Bay*, was made by David Young Cameron, but when, I’m not sure… I love the scene Cameron has captured, the little houses huddled together near the bay. I imagine Cameron outdoors with his plate, etching the scene as if he was writing. And I see the movement of the waves rendered into the scene, as the ink would bite into the metal, and the light and dark tones of the scene emerge. The overall impression is tonal and soft, but you can imagine the burr of the drypoint cutting through the surface. If you look closely at the boats and buildings, you can imagine Cameron carefully working, adding layer upon layer of ink to evoke the moodiness of the scene. It's such a gentle, quiet piece. I bet he made many drypoints; it’s a medium that allows for an intense and intimate focus. It feels very connected to a lot of contemporary art-making now, where artists are exploring intimate, subtle and quiet ways of making work.