Mary Catherine Josephine Jordan 1902

Editor: This is "Mary Catherine Josephine Jordan," a pastel piece created in 1902 by Thérèse Schwartze. The muted colors give it such a soft, intimate feeling. What's your take on it? Curator: Intimate is the perfect word! The wisps of pastel feel like a stolen moment, a whisper between artist and subject—both human and canine, might I add. Do you get the sense of affection? It's almost as if we're intruding on a private world. The greens are speaking softly; is it harmony, is it perhaps a slightly poisonous sentiment, one reserved for family portraits? Editor: I do. There’s something almost dreamlike about the blurring of edges and the blending of colors. Do you think this piece breaks from traditional portraiture of the time? Curator: Absolutely. It feels more Impressionistic, more about capturing a feeling than a perfect likeness. There is an interesting balance, isn’t it? Between the formality of the subject's attire and the loose handling of the medium. Schwartze was known for her society portraits; but this feels a bit… tender. As if the sitter wasn’t in command, like there was a little dog controlling all the scenarios in a blink. What kind of story does it make *you* invent? Editor: It makes me wonder about their bond. It's a fascinating intersection of formal portraiture and something deeply personal. The contrast invites a unique interpretation. Curator: Right! Almost like finding a faded photograph in an old book – the context is gone, but the feeling remains. Thank you! I will look at dog portraits with fresh eyes from now on. Editor: Absolutely, I definitely see how portraits might encapsulate tenderness through subtle nuance and affection!