Sketches: Four Figures and Seated Mother and Child (recto); Seated Mother and Child (verso) c. 1860

Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux created these sketches of figures and a seated mother and child in the 19th century. Carpeaux lived through a time of significant social change in France, and his work often reflects the emotional intensity of the era. These sketches offer an intimate glimpse into the lives of women and children. The image of a mother and child is a recurring theme in art history, often used to convey ideas about love, care, and family. Carpeaux imbues the mother and child with an emotional depth, depicting not just a literal scene, but also hinting at the complex roles women held within the family and society at the time. This sketch invites us to reflect on the domestic sphere and consider how gender roles were both celebrated and confined during Carpeaux’s lifetime.