“Mother and Child (The First Portrait)” by William Merritt Chase is an oil on canvas painting, executed within the Realism art movement. This portrait, measuring 101.9 x 178 cm, depicts the intimate relationship between a mother and her child.
In the artwork, a mother holding her child is captured in a moment of tender interaction. The dark background contrasts vividly with the subjects, highlighting the carefully rendered details on their clothing and expressions. The mother, adorned in dark attire with modest ornamentation, gazes solemnly at her child. The child, dressed in a lighter garment, looks directly at the viewer with a soft expression, thereby creating a focal point through its illuminated presence. This painting exudes an atmosphere of serene maternity, seamlessly blending realistic detail with emotional depth.
