“Infant with her mother’s hand” is an evocative artwork by Paula Modersohn-Becker, rendered on canvas circa 1903. It stands as an illustrative piece within the Expressionism movement, featuring modest dimensions of 31.3 x 26.7 cm and is categorized within the genre of portraiture. This artwork encapsulates the intimacy and tenderness that characterizes maternal care.
The artwork portrays a close-up view of an infant cradled gently by her mother’s hand. The child looks directly toward the viewer with an expression that is both curious and tranquil. Soft brushstrokes echo the baby’s innocence, while the rich textures of paint highlight its physical presence. The warm, earthy tones of the mother’s hand contrast sharply with the paleness of the infant’s skin and the delicate, patterned fabric of the clothing.
The portrait conveys a powerful emotional resonance, emphasizing the theme of protection and the close bond between mother and child. Despite the infant’s central placement, Modersohn-Becker’s choice to exclude the mother’s face from the composition draws the viewer’s focus to the baby and the nurturing hand, symbolizing the universal nature of a mother’s support. The artwork’s striking simplicity and emotive quality embody key characteristics of the Expressionist movement, which sought to express subjective emotions over realistic representation.
