Untitled (mother leaning over baby in crib) c. 1940

This photograph of a mother leaning over a baby in a crib was made by Paul Gittings. While the date of the image is unknown, it invites us to think about the representations of motherhood in art. The image is a domestic scene: a mother’s gaze upon her child in a nursery, a common theme throughout art history. Yet, what feelings are evoked in you? Is it tenderness, anxiety, or perhaps both? The lack of detail and stark contrast could be interpreted as a symbol of the struggles and sacrifices often associated with motherhood, overlaid with the joys of bringing a child into the world. It offers a moment to consider our own experiences of the domestic sphere and the multifaceted nature of motherhood.