Who painted 'Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk?

'Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk was painted by Mary Nimmo Moran in 1883.

Where can I see 'Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk?

'Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is 'Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk?

'Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of 'Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk?

Museum-quality prints of 'Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

'Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk

Mary Nimmo Moran , 1883

'Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Mary Nimmo Moran. It dates from 1883 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1883, Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk is an atmospheric print that depicts a mist‑filled rural scene.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in plate: M. Nimmo Moran 1883; lower right in graphite: M. Nimmo Moran; lower left edge in graphite by unknown hand: Mrs. Thomas Moran; lower center edge in graphite: "Between the gloamin' an the mirk"

About this work

Overview

Created in 1883, Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk is an atmospheric print that depicts a mist‑filled rural scene. Rendered on Japanese paper, the composition leads the eye from a partially submerged wooden fence across a flooded field toward a distant windmill under a heavy, cloud‑laden sky. The muted palette and soft edges convey a sense of stillness and quiet twilight.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a quiet, low‑lying landscape at the edge of evening, where water has risen to swallow the fence and field. Sparse trees, a few scattered buildings, and a solitary windmill suggest a pastoral setting, while the enveloping mist and dark clouds evoke a transitional moment between day and night, inviting contemplation of nature’s subdued power.

Technique & Style

This method aligns with late‑19th‑century American landscape printmaking, emphasizing meticulous detail and nuanced gradations of light and shadow.

Moran employed a combination of etching and roulette, a stippling tool, to achieve fine tonal variation on the delicate surface of Japanese paper. The etched lines define forms, while the roulette creates subtle textures that suggest dampness and atmospheric depth. This method aligns with late‑19th‑century American landscape printmaking, emphasizing meticulous detail and nuanced gradations of light and shadow.

History & Provenance

Mary Nimmo Moran, an early American woman printmaker, produced roughly seventy etchings during her career, often portraying scenes from Long Island, New Jersey, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Tween the Gloaming and the Mirk reflects her mature period, when she had established a reputation for technically proficient, mood‑laden landscapes while managing family responsibilities. The work remains a representative example of her contribution to American printmaking.