The depiction of motherhood in art

What does motherhood look like when viewed through the eyes of an artist? This Mother’s Day, we explore how artists have captured the pure, the difficult and the tender moments that represent the totality of motherhood. Through the exploration of both historical and contemporary artworks, this article questions: have our perceptions of motherhood evolved over time?

The portrayal of Mary and Jesus is undoubtedly one of the earliest iconic depictions of motherhood one can find in art. For example, Da Vinci’s ‘Virgin of the Rocks’ (c.1483-1486, Louvre version) captures the subtle, quiet interactions a mother has with her baby. Her protective positioning over Jesus shows that the artist wanted to depict Mary not only as a divine figure, but also as a mother. Sfumato, a painting technique that blends colours gently to create a soft, blurred effect, also highlights the delicate nature of this moment. It gives an ethereal quality to the work, the background fading away as if nothing else matters apart from this intimate bond. Mary’s serene gaze towards Jesus creates a sense of safety and comfort that only a mother can provide for her child. Through the composition and technique, this painting highlights the sanctity of motherhood, and how timeless and universal maternal love is.

This artist was intent on displaying specifically the hardships of working class families

Whilst these pure, joyful moments are pleasant to see in such artworks, it is also just as important to present the hardships and emotional depths of motherhood. One artist that portrays these experiences is Kathe Kollwitz. Her work titled ‘Woman with Dead Child’ (c. 1903) embodies how being a mother can result in the most severe of heartbreak. In this etching, a mother is tightly clutching her dying child, protective in her pose with her face buried in their chest, as if she is trying to breathe life back into them. This artist was intent on displaying specifically the hardships of working class families, as her partner was a physician who witnessed the poverty in Berlin first hand. Infant mortality was high in the early 1900s, so families were often stricken by loss.

Compared to Da Vinci’s painting with its soft, blurred details, Kollwitz has chosen to utilise drypoint etching to create dramatic lines and texture. These intense marks reflect the meaning of the work, representing the deep emotion and suffering that some mothers must go through when raising a child. Whilst this subject matter can be difficult to face, it is vital that we understand that this experience does happen today, and the undying love that a mother has will prevail over everything.

Walker uses warm tones and soft brushstrokes to imitate maternal bliss that is always present, even during the night feeds when the outside world is asleep

Highlighting extreme hardships is essential, but the everyday challenges mothers face often go unnoticed. Caroline Walker, an artist known for capturing these intimate moments, uses her work to bring attention to these overlooked struggles. Her piece ‘Nightfeed III’ (c. 2022) illustrates how motherhood demands constant, round-the-clock effort. Holding a baby close to her chest, the mother in this scene has a palpable sense of exhaustion with a distant gaze. The warm, ambient lighting of the room creates a sense of safety and comfort, offering a striking contrast to the dark, still world outside the window. Motherhood can be demanding, but it is also these moments that highlight the unspoken connection between mother and baby. Walker uses warm tones and soft brushstrokes to imitate maternal bliss that is always present, even during the night feeds when the outside world is asleep. The ability to evoke both the quiet solitude and the joy of these challenging moments reminds us that motherhood, in all its exhaustion, is also a profound experience of love and devotion.

The multifaceted nature of motherhood is captured not only in moments of joy but also in the sacrifices that mothers endure

Through these examples, it is clear that modern artists, such as Walker, aim to alter our perceptions of motherhood by shedding light on the daily challenges mothers face. However, all of these artworks explore the raw, the beautiful, and the complex emotions that define motherhood in its many forms. The multifaceted nature of motherhood is captured not only in moments of joy but also in the sacrifices that mothers endure. These artists remind us of the triumphs of mothers throughout history. So today, celebrate all the mothers in your life and remember that maternal strength is eternal.