Mother and Children 1770 - 1790

Piat Joseph Sauvage's "Mother and Children" (1770 - 1790) is a marble relief sculpture depicting a mother and her three children. The scene is set in a classical context, with the figures clad in flowing drapery and the presence of a satyr head in the background. The mother is seated and tenderly holds a young child, while the other two children play around her. This piece exemplifies the Neoclassical style, which was popular in the late 18th century and emphasized classical themes and forms, evident in the subject matter and the smooth, idealized forms of the figures. It is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.