The Young Mother

Mother and Child

Charles West Cope (1811-1890)

1852

Oil on gesso on panel

H 36.2 x W 25.4

Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Accession no. FA.60[O]

Gift from John Sheepshanks, 1857

The young woman holds her tousle-haired infant lovingly, the delicate gown spreading down and almost covering her own dress. One hand supports the baby's head, the other arm holds the child close. Although the museum note suggests a Madonna and child reference here, which is certainly appropriate considering West's Catholicism, it seems from the pink bow that the baby is a little girl. She seems to have been lulled to sleep.

  • Articles for The Great Expectations Pregnancy Project
  • Reproduced fromArt UK for purposes of research by Jacqueline Banerjee. [Click on the image to enlarge it, and mouse over the text for links.]