Q.

What hidden truths would come out if you painted your mother? Or another key person who raised you?  Which period of their life would you choose? Which facial features would you consciously, or unconsciously, emphasize?

What did these artists see and learn about themselves in painting their mothers?

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A.
Oh to be a fly on the wall, watching artist child and subject mother go through a lengthy portrait-sitting process …

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Albrecht Durer. Portrait of Barbara. The Artist’s Mother.  1490

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Rembrandt Van Rijn. The Artist’s Mother. 1629

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John Opie. The Artist’s Mother. 1791

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Self Portrait of Rolinda Sharples with her Mother, Ellen Sharples. 1816

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Alfred Rethel. Porträt der Mutter des Künstlers. ~1833

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Édouard Manet. Madame Auguste Manet. 1863

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Paul Cezanne. The Artist’s Mother. 1867

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James Whistler. Whistler’s Mother. 1871

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Vincent Van Gogh. Portrait of the Artist’s Mother. 1888

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Paul Gauguin. La mère d’artiste. 1890-93

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Pablo Picasso. Portrait of the Artist’s Mother. 1896

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Prudence Heward. Mommsy. 1910

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Arshile Gorky. The Artist and his Mother. 1926-36

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Grant Wood. Woman With Plants. 1929

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Frida Kahlo. My Grandparents, My Parents and Me. 1936

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William H. Johnson. Mom and Dad. 1944

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Alice Neel. Last Sickness. 1953

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Andy Warhol. July Warhola. 1974

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Lucien Freud. The Painter’s Mother Reading. 1975

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Lucien Freud. The Painter’s Mother Resting. 1976

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www.justcurious.ca

Header Art: Mary Cassatt. Mrs Robert S. Cassatt, The Artist’s Mother. 1889