Forsake not the Law of Thy Mother

James Smetham, 1821-89

c.1860-62

Etching on steel in black ink on paper

6 ½ x 4⅜ inches (16.4 x 11.0 cm) – image size.

Collection of British Museum, museum no. 1917,1210.2

The title is taken from Proverbs, Chapter one, verse 8, “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” The etching features a young child at his mother’s knee attempting to climb onto her lap and listening to her teachings. The mother is seated in a chair.

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