Artwork
Mother and daughter
Mother and daughter is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The figures are rendered in vivid blues and oranges against a landscape that includes a modest building, trees, and a grassy field under a clear sky.
Created in 1901, this oil painting by Paul Gauguin portrays a mother and her daughter seated together in an outdoor setting. The figures are rendered in vivid blues and oranges against a landscape that includes a modest building, trees, and a grassy field under a clear sky. The work belongs to Gauguin’s later period, when he moved beyond Impressionist concerns toward a more symbolic visual language.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a woman in a blue dress, her dark hair falling past her shoulders, and a young girl in an orange dress, both positioned close enough for the child’s hand to rest on the mother’s arm. Their calm interaction suggests intimacy and familial bond, while the surrounding scenery provides a tranquil backdrop that reinforces a sense of domestic serenity.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs a warm palette dominated by greens, blues, and oranges. Gauguin’s brushwork simplifies forms, emphasizing flat areas of color over detailed modeling. This approach reflects his Synthetist phase, where color and shape are used to convey emotional resonance rather than precise naturalistic representation, distinguishing the work from earlier Impressionist techniques.
History & Provenance
The canvas entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Acquired after Gauguin’s death, the painting exemplifies his mature output and contributes to the museum’s holdings of early 20th‑century French art, offering viewers insight into his evolving artistic concerns during the final years of his career.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
