Artwork
Mother and Child
Mother and Child is an oil painting by the Realist artist Alfred Stevens. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute.
About this work
Overview
Mother and Child is a painting created by Alfred Stevens in 1889, executed in oil paint. It is part of the Clark Art Institute's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures an intimate moment between a mother and her child, conveying a sense of love and closeness. The mother's gentle hold and the child's presence on her lap create a quiet, domestic scene.
Technique & Style
Stevens' realistic style and attention to detail are evident in the work, reflecting his inspiration from 17th-century Dutch genre painting. The careful rendering of textures and the warm, golden background contribute to the overall atmosphere.
Context
The painting is characteristic of Stevens' focus on upper-middle-class Parisian life, although it depicts a private, domestic moment rather than a social setting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alfred Émile Léopold Stevens (11 May 1823 – 24 August 1906) was a Belgian painter, known for his paintings of elegant modern women.
