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Interior with Mother Suckling Her Child

Image credit: Essex County Council

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Notes

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This painting, by a follower of Bega, shows a family scene in which a mother is suckling her child. She is surrounded by her husband on the right, and the child and a girl on the left. The scene takes place in the family’s kitchen. This domestic interior, with a woman suckling child and a man smoking, is full of psychological meaning. Kitchens, together with bedrooms, are the heart of children’s moral instruction, since they are private spaces in which the family spends time together. The view of the mother caring for and feeding her child, as well as supervising her other two children, served as an exemplary view for good behaviour. This is echoed in the girl kneeling as she interacts with the child. Her closeness suggests a caring intimacy and affection for others.

Essex County Council

More information
Title

Interior with Mother Suckling Her Child

Medium

oil on panel

Measurements

H 36 x W 26 cm

Accession number

8

Acquisition method

presented by D. P. Sellar, 1898

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

Frame: b1620 d1664

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