Artwork
Motherhood
Motherhood is a print by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1949.406
- Credit line
- Gift of Friends in memory of Mrs. Henry G. Keller
About this work
This painting shows a woman holding a baby while another child stands nearby.
This painting shows a woman holding a baby while another child stands nearby. The mother wears a white blouse and dark skirt. The baby reaches out toward the standing child, who looks on quietly.
Renoir painted this in his late years when his hands shook from arthritis. He tied the brush to his wrist to keep working. The soft brushstrokes show his struggle but also his care.
Try looking up Pierre-Auguste Renoir (French, 1841–1919) next.
Overview
Motherhood is a print created by French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir around 1912, currently part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a serene domestic scene: a mother in a white blouse and dark skirt cradles a baby, who reaches out to a quietly observing older child standing beside them, capturing a tender moment of family interaction.
Technique & Style
Characterized by soft brushstrokes, the print reflects Renoir's adaptation to the physical challenges of arthritis in his later years, with the brush tied to his wrist to facilitate continued creativity.
History & Provenance
Created in the final decade of Renoir's life (c. 1912), the piece is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.
Context
Part of Renoir's late output, Motherhood exemplifies his enduring focus on intimate, everyday life scenes despite physical hardships.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a French artist who was a leading painter in the development of the Impressionist style.
