Venetian moontide c. 20th century

Editor: So, this is Donald Shaw MacLaughlan's "Venetian Moontide." It's hard to pin down the date, but the etching itself is incredibly detailed. I’m really drawn to the almost dreamlike quality of the reflections in the water. What stands out to you? Curator: It’s the dance between light and shadow, isn’t it? MacLaughlan captures a Venice that is both familiar and slightly mysterious. Think about how he uses the etching technique to create these subtle tonal shifts; it’s as if he’s trying to evoke the very essence of the city. Editor: That makes sense. So it's not just a pretty picture, but a feeling? Curator: Exactly! And the "moontide" of the title... Perhaps it's less about the moon itself, and more about that pull, that magnetic allure Venice has always held. I find myself wanting to drift along that canal. Editor: I'm seeing that now, too. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Every etching tells a story, and MacLaughlan’s is a captivating one.