Masterpieces of Motherhood: Famous Paintings Celebrating Mothers
From quiet moments of affection to bold declarations of strength and resilience, mothers have long served as muses for some of the world’s greatest artists. In celebration of Mother’s Day, we’re spotlighting six iconic paintings that portray motherhood in all its emotional depth. Spanning movements from Realism to Impressionism and Cubism, these works reveal the enduring bond between mother and child—captured through the unique lens of each artist’s time, style, and story.
Mother and Child by Christian Krohg
Christian Krohg’s Mother and Child exemplifies his Realist dedication to social justice and empathy. An influential figure in Norwegian art, Krohg chose to depict everyday people—especially working-class mothers—with warmth and humanity. His legal background and artistic training in Berlin shaped a lifelong commitment to capturing the strength and tenderness of women navigating hardship.
Mother and Child, 1883 by Christian Krohg, is held by the National Museum in Oslo, Norway. It is currently taking a well-deserved rest away from public view in the museum’s storage facility.
Woman with a Parasol – Madame Monet and Her Son by Claude Monet
Claude Monet captures a fleeting moment of maternal warmth in Woman with a Parasol, featuring his wife Camille and their son Jean. Painted outdoors in a single session, the impressionistic brushstrokes and luminous colour palette evoke the lightness of a breezy day. The spontaneity of the scene, with unfinished patches and dynamic movement, mirrors the joyful impermanence of childhood.
Woman with a Parasol – Madame Monet and Her Son, 1875 by Claude Monet, is held by the American National Gallery of Art.
Hope, II by Gustav Klimt
In Hope, II, Gustav Klimt presents a haunting yet beautiful meditation on motherhood, life, and mortality. A pregnant woman bows her head in prayer as spectral figures loom in the background—a reflection of hope and foreboding. Rich in symbolism and adorned with Byzantine-inspired patterns, the painting explores the fragile balance between birth and death, comfort and danger.
Hope, II, 1907/1908 by Gustav Klimt, is on display at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York.
The Boating Party by Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt’s The Boating Party blends maternal intimacy with bold, modern composition. Inspired by Japanese prints and Mediterranean light, Cassatt flattens space and uses vibrant colour to create a dynamic, almost abstract, scene. The mother and child share a moment of calm amidst movement—an image that radiates innovation and tenderness.
The Boating Party, 1893/1894 by Mary Cassatt, is held by the American National Gallery of Art.
Motherhood – Angelina and the Child, 1916 by Diego Rivera
In Motherhood: Angela and the Child, Diego Rivera reimagines the Madonna and Child through the lens of Cubism, honouring both modern art and maternal devotion. The painting features Rivera’s partner, Angelina Beloff, holding their newborn son, Diego, who tragically died shortly after birth. Unlike the muted Cubist tones of Picasso or Braque, Rivera infuses the work with vivid colour reminiscent of Matisse, creating a poignant, emotionally resonant portrayal of loss and love.
Motherhood – Angelina and the Child, 1916 by Diego Rivera is held by the Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil in Mexico City.
The Dance Class by Edgar Degas
In The Dance Class, Edgar Degas juxtaposes the discipline of ballet with the quiet presence of mothers observing from the sidelines. Set in a rehearsal studio of the old Paris Opéra, the painting captures young dancers mid-lesson under the watchful eye of instructor Jules Perrot. While not a traditional portrait of motherhood, it subtly honours the support and sacrifice behind a child’s pursuit of art.
The Dance Class, 1874 by Edward Degas, can be found on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
These six artworks, each vastly different in style and tone, remind us that the essence of motherhood transcends time, culture, and medium. Whether painted in grief or celebration, realism or abstraction, the role of the mother remains a powerful, grounding presence in the story of art.
This Mother’s Day, why not honour the mothers who continue to inspire and shape how we see the world with a Bluethumb Art gift voucher?
