George Moore c. 1880

Curator: This etching by Mary Cassatt captures the writer George Moore. Isn't there something so hauntingly unfinished about it? Editor: The plate itself seems worn, like the labor etched into it. But, there's a directness in the lines she uses. Curator: It feels like a fleeting moment, a glimpse of his soul caught on the copper. I'm curious about the context in which this portrait was created. Editor: Moore sat for many artists, but Cassatt's method of production stands out. She was dedicated to printmaking as an artform. I wonder about the economics of this piece. Curator: Knowing Cassatt, it was probably a labor of love. She always struck me as someone who painted what moved her, not what sold. Editor: An interesting point. Ultimately, though, it’s the distribution of her work that secures the legacy, even a small etching like this. Curator: Perhaps. For me, it's the sense of intimacy that lingers. Editor: Agreed. There's a depth in the image that belies its simplicity.