The artwork titled “Portrait of the Artist’s Mother,” created by Franz Marc in 1902, is an oil painting on canvas that measures 98.43 by 69.85 centimeters. This piece is a representation of the Realism movement and falls under the genre of portraiture.
In this finely detailed portrait, an elderly woman, presumably the artist’s mother, is depicted seated in a woven chair. She is intently reading a book, embodying an aura of serene concentration. Her attire is composed of somber, dark fabrics which are contrasted by a vivid, red-patterned shawl draped over her shoulders. Her hair, tied back neatly, and the spectacles perched on her nose add to the meticulous representation of age and wisdom. The background is understated, featuring a neutral wall with a small framed depiction of an infant, possibly serving as a symbolic juxtaposition of youth and age. The overall composition exudes tranquility and offers a glimpse into the intimate, everyday moments of the subject’s life.