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Art Reflections

Capturing Childhood: Timeless Art Pieces for Mother’s Day Memories

As Mother’s Day quickly approaches you might be trying to think of the perfect gift for such an important woman in your life. Why not help her remember some of the sweetest memories of your childhood? Here are a small sampling of paintings that feature children. Each of these scenes capture the innocence and joy a child can bring.

Mary Cassatt-Children Playing on the Beach

In Children Playing on the Beach, Mary Cassatt was able to capture what so many painters that came before her were unable to do. As in many of her other paintings, she displayed children in a way that looked totally natural. This authenticity and familiarity has drawn parents to Cassatt’s work over the years. This piece displays a pair of two children participating in a sweet, innocent and natural childhood activity that will remind your mother of when you were also young.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir-In The Meadow (Picking Flowers)

In the Meadow by Pierre-Auguste Renoir depicts two girls – the same young women who appear in many of Renoir’s works from this period – leisurely picking flowers on a pastoral hillside. This painting is a classic example of Renoir’s version of impressionism, rich with color and texture. Renoir was famous for his paintings celebrating feminine beauty, and this work is a prime example of his love for using vibrant light and color. Remind your mother of those sweet moments with this lovely scene.

John Singer Sargent-Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose

Considered one of the masters of portrait paintings, John Singer Sargent was adept at conveying the slightest movements and expressions of his subjects, as he did in Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose. It’s clear that Sargent carefully studied his subjects to create a vivid scene is which children are at play. This sweet portrait show the children with lit lanterns and the colors used create a sense of dusk just falling. Give your mother something that will feel both familiar and dreamy.

Edgar Degas-Dancers in Blue

Dancers in Blue is a fine example of the innovative style that made Edgar Degas paintings such as this so popular. Degas is perhaps best known for his paintings featuring young dancers, because he was capable of capturing their exquisite form and movement in a distinctive way. The group of ballerinas are huddled together in a quiet yet energized moment that is taking place just before they are about to go onstage. He was able to capture the striking poses and natural grace of the dancers in a unique way.

Harry Roseland-Watching the Bluejay

Watching the Bluejay by Harry Roseland features two young children watching a bluejay caged in a bird cage. Roseland was best-known for capturing everyday life in his genre paintings. Many of his pieces focus on poor African Americans after the Civil War. Roseland never received any formal training, but his talent for capturing the scene in photographic detail did receive recognition within his lifetime. Delight your mother with this playful reminder of youth.

Claude Monet-Camille Monet and a Child in the Artist’s Garden in Argenteuil

The famous painting Camille Monet and a Child in the Artist’s Garden in Argenteuil was created by impressionist painter Claude Monet. Monet’s first wife Camille is depicted enjoying the beauty of the garden with a sweet unknown child while they lived in Argenteuil. The vibrant colors of red, blue, green and white are applied using small brushstrokes to create texture and depth, while the dappled lighting gives it the energy of a warm, sunny day.

Lord Frederic Leighton-Mother and Child

Lord Frederic Leighton’s painting Mother and Child depicts a comfortable Victorian interior with an ethereal mother and child tenderly interacting. This unique work pays tribute to Leighton’s association with the Pre-Raphaelites movement. Working primarily in London throughout his career, Leighton was an associate and president of the Royal Academy. Remind your mother how much your time with her meant o you with this wonderful painting.

These are only some of the wonderful paintings we have that depict children at play. If you browse through our Mother’s Day gallery you are sure to find even more delightful scenes. We know that you will find exactly the right piece to bring back those warm memories for the mother figure in your life.