Printmaker Biographies

Mary Nimmo Moran 

(1842–1899)

“Home of the Muskrat” by Mary Nimmo Moran

Mary Nimmo Moran was a groundbreaking American artist and one of the first women to gain recognition as a master of etching.

Born in Strathaven, Scotland, she emigrated to the United States with her family in 1852, settling in Pennsylvania. Initially a painter, Mary’s artistic career took a pivotal turn when she married Thomas Moran, a renowned landscape painter and etcher, who introduced her to the art of printmaking. Mary quickly distinguished herself as an etcher, specializing in pastoral landscapes that captured the beauty and tranquility of the American countryside.

She favored drypoint and traditional etching techniques, using her sharp eye for detail and light to create works that were both delicate and powerful. Her prints often depict scenes from Long Island, New York, where she and her husband lived, as well as locations they visited together during their travels.

In 1879, Mary became the first woman elected to the prestigious New York Etching Club. Her works were widely exhibited and praised for their technical mastery and artistic sensitivity.

Despite the constraints placed on women in the 19th century, she achieved significant acclaim, proving that women could excel in the traditionally male-dominated field of printmaking. Mary Nimmo Moran’s legacy endures as a testament to her talent, determination, and contribution to the American etching revival.