There's a whole afternoon of tired legs and too many rooms folded into the way this boy sits — elbows on knees, chin sunk into crossed arms, hair falling forward like a curtain he's pulled shut on the world. Titled "Long Day at the Museum," this etching finds him alone on a long bench in an otherwise empty gallery, the vast dim wall behind him swallowing everything except a soft column of light that falls, almost accidentally, right where he's sitting. It's a small, tender spotlight for a kid who'd probably rather not be seen at all.

The bench stretches out on either side of him, long and empty, exaggerating just how much space a museum can ask a child to fill with patience he doesn't have yet. His sneakers, his slouch, the way he's curled in on himself — it's such a familiar, specific posture that any grandparent who's dragged a reluctant grandchild past one more display case will recognize it instantly. The etching's soft grain and deep shadow give the whole scene a hush, as if the room itself is waiting for him to be ready to go home. It's not a portrait of unhappiness so much as endurance — the particular, private exhaustion of a long day, quietly and lovingly observed.

For this hand-pulled photogravure etching, we press ink into fine art paper from a plate we create from the original image. Print is made with Gamblin Bone Black ink on Hahnemühle Copperplate paper.

These limited-edition prints are signed and numbered on the lower front. Image and paper sizes are approximate. Variations within the edition are possible and expected.  Image 12 cm square on 20 cm × 28 cm paper.