Äiti ja lapsi

Äiti ja lapsi

Helene Schjerfbeck

unspecified

From the collection of Finnish National Gallery

About this work

This painting shows a woman and a small child standing indoors near a window. The woman is holding the child close, and both are facing away from us. Sunlight streams through the window, lighting up the green curtains and a small plant on the sill. The floor has a patterned rug, and a hat sits on a chair in the corner. The woman’s face is blurred, making her look almost ghostly. The child stands barefoot, dressed in a simple white dress. The light and shadow play on their faces and clothes, creating a soft, dreamy effect. This painting uses a technique called *chiaroscuro*.

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