Mary Cassatt. Maternal Caress. C. 1891
Mary Cassatt. Maternal Caress. C. 1891
Angelica Kauffman. Cornelia Pointing to her Children as her Treasures. C.1785
Parmigianino. Madonna with the Long Neck. 1534-40
Leonardo. Virgin and Saint Anne with Christ Child and the young John the Baptist. 1500The Humility of Motherhood
The following works would be presented in the traveling exhibition titled The Humility of Motherhood. It is evident to the viewer that each of these pieces has a unifying theme of motherhood. Although each of the pieces fall under the same concept they are each unique portrays of the beauty and selflessness of motherhood. Each piece was created in different time periods from the early sixteenth century to the late nineteenth century, yet all bring forth a common purpose. Throughout history the view on humanity changed continuously, thus the image of the woman has evolved from decade to decade. Women have been portrayed in countless ways from elegant and modest to revealing and scandalous. As time went on women’s rights and societal involvement increased causing an alteration to the definition of what it meant to be a women. Even though women’s roles began to change throughout history one aspect stayed constant, was their ability to selflessly become caring mothers. Artists both male and female continually chose to depict the beauty of motherhood in all classes of women during different time periods. Leonardo’s, Virgin and Saint Anne with the Christ Child and the Young John the Baptist, was created in the early sixteenth century. It illustrates the loving nature of Mary, who is a well known example of eternal motherly love. Leonardo beautifully renders the moment of Mary smiling while she holds Jesus as a child, which makes the viewer clearly identify to her devotion as a mother. Leonardo creates Mary in a familiar presence that seems like this moment could be happening today. Parmigianino’s, Madonna with the Long Neck, portrays a woman of wealth and status who elegantly comforts her children by her side. Likewise, Parmigianino’s work illustrates the love of a mother towards her children, but has a completely different setting. The setting takes place in an elite home, which shows the stability of this family. Angelica Kauffman’s, Cornelia pointing to her children as her treasures, is unique in the fact that it shows the proud and grateful attitude of a mother just by looking at her children. Her emphasis on her children being her most valuable treasures relays the value of motherhood itself because it is evident to the viewer that she lives a life of wealth and privilege, but nothing compares to the value of her children. Mary Cassatt’s, Maternal Carress, demonstrates the security of motherly comfort. The woman in the artwork is holding her child tightly and the happiness on the child’s face captures the viewer’s understanding of the ease and comfort of a child in their mother’s arms. Lastly, Dorothea Lange’s, Migrant Mother, is a striking photograph of a poor migrant mother and her children. This photograph illustrates the status of motherhood, although she can’t give her children material things she continues to give them the love they deserve. The look on her face has an expression of grieve possibly for the concern of the life her and her children live. The children are completely surrounding their mother and are comforted despite their situation. Each of the works that were selected for The Humility of Motherhood exhibition all individually demonstrate the precious characteristics of motherhood in all facets.
The following works would be presented in the traveling exhibition titled The Humility of Motherhood. It is evident to the viewer that each of these pieces has a unifying theme of motherhood. Although each of the pieces fall under the same concept they are each unique portrays of the beauty and selflessness of motherhood. Each piece was created in different time periods from the early sixteenth century to the late nineteenth century, yet all bring forth a common purpose. Throughout history the view on humanity changed continuously, thus the image of the woman has evolved from decade to decade. Women have been portrayed in countless ways from elegant and modest to revealing and scandalous. As time went on women’s rights and societal involvement increased causing an alteration to the definition of what it meant to be a women. Even though women’s roles began to change throughout history one aspect stayed constant, was their ability to selflessly become caring mothers. Artists both male and female continually chose to depict the beauty of motherhood in all classes of women during different time periods. Leonardo’s, Virgin and Saint Anne with the Christ Child and the Young John the Baptist, was created in the early sixteenth century. It illustrates the loving nature of Mary, who is a well known example of eternal motherly love. Leonardo beautifully renders the moment of Mary smiling while she holds Jesus as a child, which makes the viewer clearly identify to her devotion as a mother. Leonardo creates Mary in a familiar presence that seems like this moment could be happening today. Parmigianino’s, Madonna with the Long Neck, portrays a woman of wealth and status who elegantly comforts her children by her side. Likewise, Parmigianino’s work illustrates the love of a mother towards her children, but has a completely different setting. The setting takes place in an elite home, which shows the stability of this family. Angelica Kauffman’s, Cornelia pointing to her children as her treasures, is unique in the fact that it shows the proud and grateful attitude of a mother just by looking at her children. Her emphasis on her children being her most valuable treasures relays the value of motherhood itself because it is evident to the viewer that she lives a life of wealth and privilege, but nothing compares to the value of her children. Mary Cassatt’s, Maternal Carress, demonstrates the security of motherly comfort. The woman in the artwork is holding her child tightly and the happiness on the child’s face captures the viewer’s understanding of the ease and comfort of a child in their mother’s arms. Lastly, Dorothea Lange’s, Migrant Mother, is a striking photograph of a poor migrant mother and her children. This photograph illustrates the status of motherhood, although she can’t give her children material things she continues to give them the love they deserve. The look on her face has an expression of grieve possibly for the concern of the life her and her children live. The children are completely surrounding their mother and are comforted despite their situation. Each of the works that were selected for The Humility of Motherhood exhibition all individually demonstrate the precious characteristics of motherhood in all facets.
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