Mother And Child c. 1875 - 1880

Alfred Stevens created this painting, Mother and Child, using oil on canvas. Stevens’ painterly brushstrokes bring the texture of the fabric and the softness of skin to life. There’s a focus on surface here. The way the paint is applied gives the impression of a rapidly executed piece. But don’t be fooled. These quickly applied strokes took hours of mastering the art of suggesting detail with the fewest possible gestures. The painting reflects the era’s growing interest in depicting everyday life, particularly the domestic sphere. While the subject is timeless, the material reality speaks to the values of a society increasingly focused on appearances and personal consumption. Stevens blurs the line between intimate portraiture and a display of fashionable domesticity. By understanding the material choices and painting techniques, we gain insight into the culture and values of the time.