Mother and Child 1960

Louay Kayyali, a Syrian artist, created this painting, *Mother and Child.* Kayyali lived in a time of intense political and social change in the Arab world. Kayyali, who studied art in Italy, was part of a generation of artists who grappled with questions of identity, modernity, and tradition. The painting delicately evokes the universal theme of maternal love while subtly acknowledging the social realities that shape individual lives. The faces of the subjects are etched with a quiet resilience that hints at the burdens of poverty and displacement, reflecting the artist’s concern with the human condition. "I seek to express the truth of the human spirit," Kayyali once stated. Kayyali offers us a glimpse into the lives of those who often remain unseen, inviting empathy and understanding. This work serves as a mirror reflecting the hopes, fears, and dreams of a people navigating a complex world.