Motherhood c. 1912

This is Renoir’s “Motherhood”, and it looks like it was made with lithographic crayon or something similar. You can really see the process in the marks, it's not about blending but about the build up. I mean look at the mother's hair – it’s a storm of scribbles, but then her face is much smoother, softer. And then there’s this crazy contrast with the baby, who seems so peaceful, nestled right there. It’s like Renoir is showing us all the different sides of love and care, the tenderness and the wildness, all in one go. It makes me think of other mother and child paintings, like Mary Cassatt, but there’s something messier, more real about Renoir’s take. He is one of those artists that always keeps you guessing and that’s what makes looking at art so interesting, don’t you think?