The Artist and His Mother 1942

Arshile Gorky's 1942 painting, *The Artist and His Mother*, portrays a young Gorky standing beside his mother, a powerful image of filial love. The painting, currently housed in the National Gallery of Art, employs muted tones and subtle brushstrokes, creating a melancholic mood. The artist's somber self-portrait reflects his deep connection to his Armenian heritage and the trauma of displacement. This poignant work exemplifies Gorky's evolving artistic style, merging elements of Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism.