Who painted Mother and Child?

Mother and Child was painted by Benjamin West in 1738.

Where can I see Mother and Child?

Mother and Child is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Mother and Child?

Mother and Child is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Mother and Child

Benjamin West , 1738

Mother and Child is a drawing by the Baroque artist Benjamin West. It dates from 1738 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Benjamin West’s drawing titled *Mother and Child* dates from 1738 and is part of the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The composition presents a maternal figure cradling an infant, rendered in a single sheet of paper with charcoal or ink. The work exemplifies West’s early practice before his later fame as a history painter.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures an intimate moment of nurture, emphasizing the bond between a woman and her baby. The mother’s shadowed visage suggests a protective, perhaps solemn presence, while the child’s illuminated head draws attention to innocence and vulnerability, creating a subtle emotional contrast within the simple scene.

Technique & Style

West employed rapid, gestural strokes that leave the drawing with a sketch‑like quality. Broad shading builds volume and softens the forms, while uneven lines give the figures a slightly diffused appearance. This approach aligns with Baroque sensibilities that favored expressive movement and feeling over meticulous finish.

History & Provenance

Created in the artist’s early twenties, the drawing entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, though the precise path of ownership before that remains undocumented. Its presence in the museum’s drawing department highlights West’s developmental phase prior to his transatlantic career.