A Young Woman nursing a Baby
- Artist: Jacob Maris
- Date: 1868
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "A Young Woman nursing a Baby" by Jacob Maris. Painted in the 19th century, this intimate portrait showcases the artist's ability to capture tender moments in everyday life.
The woman in the painting is believed to be Maris' wife, and it's clear that she's holding their child. The expression on her face conveys a sense of love and care as she nurses her baby. Notice how the pale skin tones draw your eye to their interaction, creating a sense of warmth and intimacy.
The artist has used smooth glazes to build up the painting, which gives it a delicate and ethereal quality. This is in contrast to Maris' later work, which often featured thick impasto paint. The still life on the table may be a nod to the influence of Henri Fantin-Latour, another artist that Maris would have encountered while living in Paris.
The painting's use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, drawing you into the quiet moment captured here. The woman's pearl earring and the crumpled linen on her lap are just a few examples of how Maris skillfully contrasts different textures and tones to create visual interest.
See it in person
A Young Woman nursing a Baby hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
