Moder og søn. Interiør 1853 - 1854

Wilhelm Marstrand created this interior scene, ‘Mother and Son,’ using pen and brown ink on paper. The choice of a humble, easily accessible medium like ink immediately gives the work a casual, intimate feel, more akin to a sketch than a formal portrait. Look closely at the hatching, the way the pen strokes build up the forms of the figures and the surrounding objects. Notice that the tonal variation is achieved through the density of marks, and the pressure of the artist’s hand. The quickly applied lines capture a private moment, perhaps during a break from the day’s labors. The mother is seen resting with the child, while the objects around the room indicate the family's social status and the mother’s role in maintaining the home. The drawing style has an immediacy to it, suggesting the artist valued the direct connection between his hand, the pen, and the paper. The simple, fluid lines also emphasize the tenderness of the bond between mother and child. Marstrand’s choice to use a simple medium allowed him to focus on the emotional content of the scene, rather than being constrained by the demands of more elaborate techniques.