Where can I see Portrait of the Artist's Mother?

Portrait of the Artist's Mother is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of the Artist's Mother?

Portrait of the Artist's Mother is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of the Artist's Mother?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of the Artist's Mother are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of the Artist's Mother

Allen Smith, Jr. , 1855

Portrait of the Artist's Mother is an oil painting by the Realist artist Allen Smith, Jr.. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Allen Smith Jr.

About this work

Technique & Style

Oil paint was the sole medium employed, and the canvas support provides a smooth surface typical of mid-nineteenth-century portraiture.

The painting was executed in oil on canvas in 1855, measuring about 65.5 cm in height and 59.6 cm in width. The work belongs to the portrait genre and was created while the artist was based in Cleveland. Oil paint was the sole medium employed, and the canvas support provides a smooth surface typical of mid-nineteenth-century portraiture. The formal composition follows conventional portrait conventions of the period.

History & Provenance

Portrait of the Artist's Mother was painted by Allen Smith, Jr. in 1855. The painting was produced in Cleveland, where Smith was active, and was executed in oil on canvas, measuring 65.5 cm in height by 59.6 cm in width. It depicts the artist's mother and is classified as a portrait. The work later entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art under accession number 1918.569.

Overview

Allen Smith Jr.'s Portrait of the Artist's Mother, painted in 1855, is an oil on canvas work held in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art. This piece exemplifies the American artist's commitment to the realist tradition, a style he frequently employed throughout his career. It serves as a significant example of his primary artistic output: portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts the artist's mother in a dignified profile view. She is presented wearing a dark dress and a white lace cap, with her light gray hair neatly pulled back. Her expression is solemn, contributing to a sense of quiet gravity.

The plain, dark background ensures that the viewer's attention remains solely on the sitter, emphasizing her presence and character.