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.