Who painted Mother and Child?

Mother and Child was painted by Maurice Denis in 1898.

Where can I see Mother and Child?

Mother and Child is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Mother and Child?

Mother and Child is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Artwork

Mother and Child

Maurice Denis , 1898

Mother and Child is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Maurice Denis. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Maurice Denis, a French painter linked to the Nabis and Symbolist movements, completed the oil painting *Mother and Child* in 1898. The work is part of the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows a seated woman cradling an infant, both clothed in white. The mother’s hair is gathered up, and a figure stands in the doorway behind them, suggesting a domestic interior that emphasizes the intimate bond between parent and child.

Technique & Style

Denis employs soft, blended brushwork and a restrained palette of muted purples, yellows, and browns. The gentle handling of light and color creates a warm atmosphere, while the patterned chair and architectural details anchor the scene in a modest interior setting.

Context

Created during a period when Denis was integrating post‑Impressionist methods with his interest in religious and symbolic content, the painting reflects his transitional phase before later turning toward Neo‑Classical and sacred subjects.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the work entered the holdings of the State Hermitage Museum, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s European painting collection.