Under the elder bush 1871
hansthoma
stadelmuseum
oil, canvas
portrait
woman
16_19th-century
oil
green tone
possibly oil pastel
oil painting
canvas
child
green background
underpainting
plant
animal portrait
painting painterly
animal drawing portrait
portrait art
fine art portrait
realism
"Under the Elder Bush" is a poignant 1871 oil painting by German artist Hans Thoma, currently residing in the Städel Museum. The painting depicts a young woman tenderly cradling a sleeping child in a verdant outdoor setting. The soft lighting, detailed brushstrokes, and tender interaction between the figures evoke a sense of tranquility and maternal love. The title and the elder blossoms in the background further enhance the artwork’s idyllic and pastoral themes, exemplifying Thoma’s mastery of realism and his portrayal of everyday life.
Comments
A young woman sits in front of a flowering elder bush, which is still called "lilac" in some parts of the world. She gazes tenderly at the sleeping child in her lap. The intimate attention and familiarity suggest a mother with child. In fact, however, Thoma was modelling his younger sister Agathe (1848–1928) and a boy who was probably also a relative. The group, composed as a stable triangle, is reminiscent of depictions of the Virgin Mary with her Son. Hence, this summer idyll can be considered a precursor for the numerous religious motifs in the artist's later oeuvre.
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