"The Young Mother" by Charles West Cope

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The Young Mother

Charles West Cope (1811-1890)

1845

Oil on gesso on panel

30.5 x 25.4 cm.

Collection: Victoria and Albert Museum

Accession no. FA.53[O]

Gift from John Sheepshanks, 1857

A shaft of morning sunshine illuminates the mother gazing tenderly down as she nurses her infant daughter. [Commentary continues below.]

Click on the image to enlarge it, and mouse over the text for links.

Breastfeeding, Wet Nursing, and Feeding “by Hand”, by Jessica Cox

Reproduced from Art UK and discussed for research purposes by Jacqueline Banerjee.

Everything about the scene speaks of the emotional bonding involved in this simple, natural, maternal function. The painting suggests so much about motherhood: the fine, delicately hued and draped fabric of both mother and child make a wonderful mid-point between beauty and fragility. This balance is enhanced by the lace collar and fringes of the mother's cape, with its blue-grey stripes and brighter blue bow, all so meticulously executed. Even the carpet, with its spring-like floral design picking up the colours of the chaise-long and curtains, is perfect here. There is vitality too: the little girl's red bonnet makes a bright touch against the shadowed wood-panelled walls behind them.

Bibliography

The Young Mother. Art UK. Web. 15 July 2022.

Creaed 15 July 2022