St. Séverin, Paris 1902

Donald Shaw MacLaughlan made this etching, St. Séverin, Paris, using black ink on paper. The whole thing feels so alive, like a quick sketch but with tons of detail. What I love is how he uses all these little lines to create depth and shadow, especially on the buildings. It's like he’s building the scene right in front of us. Look at the way the lines on the street all pull together, making your eyes go straight to that church. The whole image is filled with marks, some darker, some lighter, all working together. It reminds me a bit of Piranesi, who also used etching to capture the drama and detail of architecture. But MacLaughlin brings a softer, more intimate feel to it. It is less about grandiosity, and more about the moment.