Artwork

Portrait of his Mother

Portrait of his Mother, by Henri Lehmann, 1851
Portrait of his Mother, by Henri Lehmann, 1851

Portrait of his Mother is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Henri Lehmann. It dates from 1851 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of his Mother is a drawing by Henri Lehmann, dated to 1851, currently part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a woman, presumably the artist's mother, in a contemplative pose, with her chin rested on her hand and gaze directed sideways, conveying a sense of introspection.

Technique & Style

Executed in soft, quick lines, the sketch prioritizes capturing a likeness over detailed rendering, suggesting a rapid study. The loose, expressive technique implies a preliminary or observational sketch.

History & Provenance

Created in 1851, the work's history prior to its acquisition by The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here, highlighting the primary known fact of its current ownership.

Context

The piece reflects 19th-century artistic practices where quick sketches served as preliminary studies or personal notes, often focusing on capturing essence rather than intricate detail.

Legacy

While not individually renowned, the sketch contributes to the broader understanding of Lehmann's working methods and the era's artistic approaches to portraiture and sketching.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Henri Lehmann

Artist

Henri Lehmann

Henri Lehmann was a German-born French historical painter and portraitist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.