Artwork
Mother and Child (Mutter und Kind)
Mother and Child (Mutter und Kind) is an ink print by Otto Mueller. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Mother and Child (Mutter und Kind) is a lithograph created by Otto Mueller, a German artist linked to the Die Brücke expressionist group, circa 1920. The print embodies the movement's aesthetic, emphasizing emotional depth through simplified, expressive forms.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork captures an intimate moment between a mother and child, reflecting Die Brücke's thematic focus on profound human connections and unvarnished emotional experience. The mother's averted gaze and the child's clinging form underscore the complexity of their bond.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the piece features bold, jagged lines, loose textures, and minimal shading, contributing to a sense of spontaneity and urgency. The rough, sketchy quality aligns with the expressive intensity characteristic of Die Brücke's style.
History & Provenance
Created around 1920, the work is part of Mueller's output during his association with the Die Brücke movement. Specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
Within the early 20th-century European art landscape, Mother and Child situates itself among expressionist works prioritizing emotional authenticity over representational precision, reflecting the tumultuous period's artistic shift towards inner experience.
Legacy
As a representative of Die Brücke's expressionist ethos, Mother and Child contributes to the movement's enduring influence on modern and contemporary art practices emphasizing emotional expression and simplified, expressive forms.
Artist & collection
Artist
Otto Mueller (16 October 1874 – 24 September 1930) was a German painter and printmaker of the Die Brücke expressionist movement.
