Pieter De Hooch, a Dutch painter and draftsman during the Dutch Golden Age, depicted a scene of maternal duty in his painting “A Mother and Child with Its Head in Her Lap” which measures 52.5 x 61 cms on oil canvas. Set within the homely confines of a bedroom with an elevated, recessed bed with curtains, the painting features a woman de-lousing her daughter’s hair with the child’s head in her lap. This piece is part of De Hooch’s genre paintings and is known for its accuracy in depicting Dutch middle-class life.
Displayed at the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam since 1885, the painting achieved wide recognition for the artist’s keen attention to detail in portraying domestic subjects. Pieter De Hooch was a contemporary of Dutch master Jan Vermeer, who also captured domestic scenes in his paintings. This piece of art is indicative of the maternal duties that women were expected to perform, especially in performing head lice removal, which was a household chore in the 17th century.
The painting is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction for sale, ensuring that the piece’s legacy will continue to exist for years to come. This poignant scene of maternal love and care serves as a testament to the nuanced representation of daily life in Dutch society through art.
