Pablo Picasso

Mère et enfant [Mother and Child]

About this artwork

This work was painted during what is commonly known as Picasso's 'Blue Period'. The artist was greatly affected by the suicide of a close friend in 1901, and subsequently produced a series of paintings in melancholy blue tones. The painting was also influenced by Picasso's regular visits to a women's prison-hospital in Paris. The misery of those women, many of whom had babies or young children, seems to have struck a chord with the artist. The pose of the figure in this painting, with her face turned away from the viewer, suggests her suffering and shame. This was the first painting by Picasso to enter the collection of the National Galleries of Scotland.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
  • title:
    Mère et enfant [Mother and Child]
  • date created:
    1902
  • materials:
    Oil on paper laid on canvas
  • measurements:
    40.50 x 33.00 cm; Framed: 58.00 x 51.30 x 8.50 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Presented by Sir Alexander Maitland in memory of his wife Rosalind 1960
  • accession number:
    GMA 967
  • gallery:
  • subject:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso