Women and Children 1914

Auguste Herbin created this oil on canvas painting, titled "Women and Children," at an unknown date, but we can consider it in light of Herbin's lifelong focus on abstraction and his experiences in the early 20th century. Herbin's work emerged from a cultural context marked by rapid social change. This painting uses geometric abstraction to present the figures and objects of domestic life. The women are depicted with a certain stoicism, perhaps reflecting the roles and expectations placed upon women during his time. Yet, the figures also convey tenderness, particularly in the mother’s embrace of her child. The flattened perspective and fragmented forms challenge traditional representation, suggesting an alternative narrative that delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of family life. Herbin once said, "Art is an act of love." It’s as if he aimed to use his unique visual language to express the complexities of human connection. This painting invites us to contemplate the intersection of public identity and private emotion, all while reflecting societal values.