From the serene and idealized depictions of the Madonna and Child in early Christian iconography to the raw and provocative representations in contemporary works, the portrayal of motherhood throughout art history has undergone a gradual shift—a shift that illuminates societal attitudes towards women and their ever-evolving roles. Nina Grenga, the AKG's Digital Content Manager reflects on these images through the lens of the museum's wide-ranging collection.

The depiction of motherhood in art can be traced back to as early as the third century with (at least in Western art) the first portrayal of the Madonna and Child, also known as the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, in the catacombs of Priscilla, Rome. [1] More notably, the symbolic pair became a major motif of the Renaissance, with artists often portraying mother and son in scenes like Madonna and Child Glorified, 1553. In this work, we see mother and son surrounded by an aura of light, suspended above the Earth. The Madonna, the most prominent figure in the work, is crowned and garbed in elaborate robes that billow at the crescent moon beneath her feet. Like many other portrayals of the mother, she wears a peaceful expression as she holds her son close to her chest. She is the idealized symbol of motherhood. 

Being raised in the Roman Catholic Church, I became acquainted with the various portrayals of the Madonna at a young age. Oil paintings and stained-glass mosaics perpetuated themes of nurturing, protection, learning, and, at times, grief. [2] The Virgin Mary was epitomized as the perfect mother, and as a child, I found myself confused by this narrative because, to me, my mother was perfection. No, she was never surrounded by a glowing aura, and while raising six children, picturesque moments of serenity like those depicted were rare. Yet, while recognizing the artistry in these idealized portrayals, I began to question the representation of women in art and the messages it conveyed.  

In Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Mère et Enfant (Mother and Child), 1910, we see a similarly intimate moment between a mother and her child. Renoir was known to portray women in a romantic light, oftentimes focusing on “placid, soft-textured women who possess physical qualities reminiscent of the voluptuous nymphs often depicted in eighteenth-century French Rococo painting.” [3] This idealized body type is evident in the portrayal of the mother in this painting. She is depicted with soft and rounded features, and her tranquil expression complements the inquisitive and innocent gaze of her child. The child is seated on the mother’s lap while her arms encircle them in a tender yet safe embrace. Like the Madonna, the maternal and nurturing presence is integral to the work. 

Although a timeless work, Renoir's approach to representing motherhood is traditional and highlights the prevailing domesticity of women’s roles in society. In France, during the creation of this painting, the women's suffrage movement had already gained momentum. This momentum culminated in the ongoing efforts for women's rights at the onset of World War I. [4] Suffragettes fought for independence, equal opportunities, literacy, legal rights, and acknowledgment beyond their roles as mothers, wives, and homemakers. While art doesn't always reflect the political climate of its time, Renoir’s work provides insight into the expectations of motherhood in that era, an image at odds with the women’s suffrage movement of its time.