Clara bij het sterfbed van haar moeder 1825 - 1842

Nicolas Maurin created this lithograph, "Clara bij het sterfbed van haar moeder," in France during the early to mid-19th century. The print captures a poignant moment of familial grief, a common subject during this era. Here, we see the intersection of gendered expectations and emotional expression. Clara, dressed in mourning attire, attends to her dying mother, reflecting the period’s emphasis on women as caregivers and keepers of family values. The mother’s words, "Je vais rejoindre ton père. Prie enfant, et sois notre appui!" (I am going to join your father. Pray child, and be our support!), underscore the societal pressures placed on young women to maintain faith and provide stability in the face of loss. Maurin uses the setting—a modestly decorated bedroom—to highlight the intimacy of the scene. The somber tones enhance the gravity of the moment, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences with loss and familial duty. The artwork serves as a window into the personal and societal expectations that shaped women's lives in 19th-century France.