Roman woman with a child. Study for The St. Anthony Feast Day in Rome c. 1838

Wilhelm Marstrand rendered this oil on canvas painting as a study for "The St. Anthony Feast Day in Rome." Immediately striking is the composition’s warm palette, dominated by earthy browns and soft pinks which evoke a serene atmosphere. The textures, from the woman’s ruffled sleeves to the smooth form of the child, are captured with loose, expressive brushstrokes. Marstrand employs a traditional, formal structure, yet one can detect elements which destabilize conventional portraiture. The gaze of the Roman woman is cast downward, drawing our eye to the child she cradles, but also to the muted colour palette which directs focus away from traditional markers of beauty. There is a deliberate rejection of idealization, instead, we are presented with the immediacy and intimacy of motherhood. Marstrand’s approach is a visual exploration of a complex interplay between surface and depth. The artist invites us to consider how the painting both represents and questions established social roles.