MacLaughlan chronicled his early career on his NAD biography form:
First studied in the night schools Boston--later in the N(ormal) Art S(chool) 1893-1897--went to Paris in 1898--then 21 years old--stayed there five years, then returned to U.S.A.--returned to Paris 1904--Have returned almost every three years to U.S.A. Had a studio in New York 1911--again in 1917. First showed in the Salon 1899--made an Associate 1903--Societaire 1922--Have always printed my own plates--Have lived in Italy, France, England, U.S.A.--came to the United States in 1890 from Canada.
MacLaughlan had an exhibition of his etchings at the American Art Association Galleries in Paris where he exhibited scenes of Paris, Rouen, Normandy and Italy (1906).
His subjects reflected his travels through European cities and countryside as well as the rural American south. His scenes recorded landscape, architecture, the street and backyard views. His work is highly detailed and exacting; he did not use dry point, soft ground or acquatint techniques.
MacLaughlan won gold medals at San Francisco and Rome; silver medals at Leipzig and Buffalo, and a bronze medal at St. Ives.
MacLaughlan's oeuvre consists of some 300 prints. Both the Toledo Museum and Art Institute of Chicago have considerble collections of his work.
He married Aileen Tillman of Nashville, Tennesee in 1908.
