Artwork
Mother and child
Mother and child is an oil painting by Jules Pascin. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
About this work
Overview
Jules Pascin’s oil painting titled *Mother and Child*, executed around 1917, is part of the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The work presents an intimate domestic scene rendered in a modestly sized canvas, typical of Pascin’s focus on personal, everyday moments during the later phase of his career.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a mother cradling her infant, the child’s head gently resting against the mother’s shoulder. The figures are portrayed with calm expressions, suggesting a quiet bond of protection and affection. The subdued atmosphere invites viewers to contemplate the universal themes of nurture and familial closeness without overt narrative drama.
Technique & Style
Pascin employs loose, expressive brushwork that conveys immediacy and emotional nuance. Soft, muted tones dominate the palette, creating a tranquil ambience. The oil medium allows for subtle layering, giving the surface a tactile richness while the rounded forms of the child contrast with the more linear rendering of the mother’s face, highlighting their relational dynamic.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the painting has remained in public ownership, entering the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ holdings where it is displayed among other early‑20th‑century works. Its acquisition reflects the gallery’s commitment to representing European modernist painters who explored intimate subject matter during the interwar period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Julius Mordecai Pincas (March 31, 1885 – June 2, 1930), known as Pascin (French: , erroneously or ), Jules Pascin, also known as the "Prince of Montparnasse", was a Bulgarian artist of the School of Paris, known for his paintings and…
