Mother and Child c. 1900 - 1910

This painting by James Jebusa Shannon called 'Mother and Child' really gets under my skin, it's made with oil paint of course. What I love is how Shannon hasn’t overworked the details. He’s let the paint be itself, loose and flowing. Look at the way the light catches the mother's face, there's so much tenderness! It’s all about soft edges and suggestive forms. The colours are muted, mostly dark, but then there's a pop of light on the child's dress and face that just pulls you in. The texture of the paint is so key here. You can see every brushstroke, especially in the background. The way it's almost unfinished around the edges, like a memory fading away. I’m reminded of Manet, that same focus on capturing a fleeting moment, an impression rather than a perfect likeness. Ultimately, it’s all about feeling more than seeing.