Kunstnerens døde moder 1892

Viggo Johansen painted "The Artist's Dead Mother" in August 1892. During the late 19th century, middle-class artists began exploring intimate and personal themes. Here, Johansen poignantly captures the emotional intensity surrounding death. The painting offers an intimate, almost voyeuristic view of the artist's mother. The monochrome palette evokes a sense of solemnity. The raw brushstrokes imbue the scene with a sense of immediacy. The painting marks a shift from idealized representations of motherhood to a focus on the raw, unfiltered emotions surrounding loss and mourning. Johansen's decision to depict his mother in death reflects a broader societal shift towards a more open acknowledgement of death within the domestic sphere. The act of painting her becomes a way for Johansen to grapple with his grief, but it also opens up a space for viewers to confront their own feelings. The painting serves as a reminder of how art can function as a vehicle for processing personal and universal experiences of loss.