Who painted Mother and Child (recto)?

Mother and Child (recto) was painted by Paul Gauguin in 1874.

Where can I see Mother and Child (recto)?

Mother and Child (recto) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Mother and Child (recto)?

Mother and Child (recto) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Mother and Child (recto)

Paul Gauguin , 1874

Mother and Child (recto) is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1874, this paper drawing by Paul Gauguin depicts a mother cradling her infant. Executed on a yellowed sheet bearing brown speckles, the composition is rendered in sparse, decisive lines that outline the woman's face, her hair bound in a cloth, and the small figure of the child. The work resides in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a tender domestic scene, focusing on the intimate bond between a woman and her newborn. By reducing the figures to essential contours, Gauguin emphasizes the universal qualities of care and protection, allowing the viewer to contemplate the relationship without the distraction of elaborate detail.

Technique & Style

The drawing is executed with quick, confident strokes that suggest a study rather than a finished piece. Gauguin’s handling of line captures the basic forms with minimal shading, reflecting his early practice of sketching to seize an idea rapidly. This approach anticipates the bold simplifications that would later characterize his Synthetist phase.

History & Provenance

Although produced before Gauguin’s mature period, the work belongs to his early output during his Parisian years. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it contributes to the museum’s representation of 19th‑century French drawing and the development of Post‑Impressionist and Symbolist tendencies.

Artist & collection

Artist

Paul Gauguin

Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (; French: ; 7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903) was a French painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramist, and writer, whose work has been primarily associated with the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements.