Artwork
Maternal Solicitude
Maternal Solicitude is an unspecified painting by the American Impressionist artist Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait. It dates from 1873 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work is classified as a painting, indicating a two-dimensional painted medium on a prepared support.
Maternal Solicitude is a painting by Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait, dated 1873. The work is classified as a painting, indicating a two-dimensional painted medium on a prepared support. According to the Wikidata record, the canvas measures 49.5 cm in height by 61.0 cm in width, a modest horizontal format suited to an intimate genre subject. The piece is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
No source provided details regarding specific materials, pigment, brushwork, surface condition, or stylistic handling, so those aspects cannot be elaborated here without exceeding the available evidence.
History & Provenance
The painting is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art. Its inventory number is 1915.534. The work was exhibited at the Cleveland Museum of Art in 2012 as part of "Tales from the Land of Dragons: 1000 Years of Chinese Painting".
Overview
Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait, a British‑American painter noted for his depictions of wildlife, completed the canvas Maternal Solicitude in 1873. The work is part of the American Impressionist tradition and is presently owned by the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a doe poised on a thin sheet of ice, accompanied by two young fawns, one standing, the other lying down. A low‑flying black crow darts across the scene, its wings rendered in motion, hinting at a moment of tension that underscores the protective vigilance of the mother.
Context
Created during a period when American artists were increasingly exploring native subjects through impressionistic techniques, the work reflects contemporary interest in portraying the natural world with both scientific observation and emotive nuance.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait (February 5, 1819 – April 28, 1905) was a British-American artist who is known mostly for his paintings of wildlife. During most of his career, he was associated with the New York City art scene.
