Grandmother 1865

Silvestro Lega’s painting "Grandmother" draws us into a domestic space where a grandmother sews beside a sleeping infant. The colour palette is defined by muted, earthy tones that contribute to a somber mood, while the composition is structured around a series of horizontal and vertical lines, providing a sense of stability. The grandmother, bent over her sewing, and the infant resting peacefully in its cot, are positioned so that they create two distinct pockets of light within the room, set against the darker background. The artist uses light and shadow to emphasize the texture of the fabrics and the weathered surfaces of the room, engaging with the philosophical interest in realism characteristic of the late 19th century. Lega uses the visual language to depict the simple dignity of everyday life. Notice how Lega uses the formal elements of the painting – its structure, use of color, and distribution of light – to create an atmosphere of quiet contemplation, characteristic of modern art and a world of new perceptions.