Who painted Mother and Child?

Mother and Child was painted by Maurice Denis in 1898.

Where can I see Mother and Child?

Mother and Child is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Mother and Child?

Mother and Child is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Mother and Child?

Museum-quality prints of Mother and Child are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Mother and Child

Maurice Denis , 1898

Mother and Child is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Maurice Denis. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Maurice Denis, a French painter linked to the Nabis and Symbolist movements, completed the oil painting Mother and Child in 1898. The work is part of the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows a seated woman cradling an infant, both clothed in white. The mother’s hair is gathered up, and a figure stands in the doorway behind them, suggesting a domestic interior that emphasizes the intimate bond between parent and child.

Technique & Style

Denis employs soft, blended brushwork and a restrained palette of muted purples, yellows, and browns. The gentle handling of light and color creates a warm atmosphere, while the patterned chair and architectural details anchor the scene in a modest interior setting.

Context

Created during a period when Denis was integrating post‑Impressionist methods with his interest in religious and symbolic content, the painting reflects his transitional phase before later turning toward Neo‑Classical and sacred subjects.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the work entered the holdings of the State Hermitage Museum, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s European painting collection.