Maternity 1935

This is Jose de Almada-Negreiros’ painting, Maternity. Looking at this painting, I can imagine him starting with a basic sketch, mapping out the figures of mother and child. The act of painting must have been a real commitment, building up the forms with layers of colour. I'm trying to imagine what he might have been thinking when he made it, maybe remembering his own mother, thinking about the simple intimacy between mother and child. I like how the colour gives a sculptural form to the figures, with each brushstroke contributing to their solidity. The thick application on the headscarf gives it real presence, while the soft blending of tones in their skin creates a tender glow. The composition and subject reminds me of other images of motherhood throughout art history, which just goes to show that artists are always in conversation across time.