The Flemish Mother 1820

This is Sir David Wilkie’s, The Flemish Mother, an etching on paper. The composition is dominated by tonal contrasts which invite us to consider its internal structure. The scene portrays a domestic moment between a mother and her child, yet it's the interplay of light and shadow that commands our attention. Wilkie uses a range of hatching techniques to delineate form, creating areas of deep shadow that both conceal and reveal. Notice how the light catches the folds of the mother’s clothing, and the intricate details of the objects on the table, bringing them into sharp focus. Wilkie employs a semiotic system of signs to interpret the cultural codes of domesticity. The etching technique lends itself to creating texture and detail. The textures are not just visual, they evoke a tactile experience, inviting us to imagine the smoothness of the jug, or the softness of the fabrics. The artist challenges fixed meanings by using the structural form of a moment in time to represent an idealized vision of domesticity. Ultimately, it's the formal qualities of the artwork and its construction that allow for new interpretations.