1901 MКre et enfant [MКre tenant lenfant] * Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

The composition presents a maternal figure embracing a child within a landscape setting. The woman dominates the foreground, her posture conveying both protectiveness and a certain solemnity. Her head is tilted slightly towards the child, suggesting tenderness and attentiveness. The child appears to be asleep or deeply relaxed, nestled against the mother’s chest.
The artist employed a simplified, almost stylized approach to rendering form. Facial features are reduced to essential elements – large eyes, a straight nose, and a defined mouth – contributing to an overall sense of emotional restraint rather than detailed realism. The color palette is striking; vibrant blues and reds contrast with the softer tones of the child’s skin and the landscape background. The blue garment worn by the mother creates a visual anchor, drawing attention to her central role in the scene.
Behind the figures stretches a stylized landscape. Broad bands of color delineate fields and vegetation, while a body of water is suggested by a horizontal swath of purple-blue. The sky above is rendered with expressive brushstrokes, evoking a sense of atmospheric depth and perhaps even emotional turbulence.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of maternal love, protection, and the cyclical nature of life. The childs vulnerability and dependence are underscored by the mother’s embrace, while the landscape serves as a backdrop to this intimate moment. There is an underlying sense of melancholy or quiet contemplation; the figures do not radiate joy but rather a profound stillness. The simplified forms and bold colors contribute to a feeling that transcends mere representation, hinting at universal experiences of motherhood and familial connection. The artist seems less interested in depicting a specific individual than in exploring archetypal roles and emotions.