Mère et enfant 2018

Cricorps created this oil painting, "Mère et enfant," sometime after 1953. The piece depicts a mother holding her child, rendered in an abstract style with mosaic-like patches of color. Given that the artist was born in the mid-20th century, it's easy to imagine the influence of modernism and the rise of abstract expressionism on their artistic style. But let's consider this image within the context of the familial and the personal. The artwork transcends simple representation, choosing instead to convey the emotional bonds and the nurturing relationship between mother and child. The choice of warm, earthy tones, might reflect the warmth and comfort associated with maternal love. The fragmented shapes might also speak to the multifaceted nature of identity, both for the mother and the child. By moving away from traditional portrayals, Cricorps reframes the mother and child relationship within a modern context. They highlight the complexities of emotion and identity, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences and perceptions of family and care.