An Egyptian Mirror 1909

David Young Cameron made this etching called 'An Egyptian Mirror', though when I look at it, I think about what a mirror might mean, and what it means to make art. Cameron’s mark-making is so delicate, like he's whispering secrets onto the plate. You can see the fine lines creating this figure, almost like she’s emerging from the paper itself. The texture is smooth, but the details! Look at the way the light catches on the figure's body, and then how the shadow pools around her feet on the block she stands on. The lines are so economical, but they tell you everything you need to know. It reminds me a bit of Whistler, with that same sense of quiet elegance and tonal control. But Cameron brings something else, a kind of mystery. It’s not just a depiction; it’s an invitation to reflect, like a mirror held up to your own imagination. Art isn't about answers, it's about the questions we ask.