#26858 Jesus De Perceval

The composition presents a mother and child within a densely colored environment. The woman dominates the foreground, her figure rendered with simplified forms and bold outlines. She holds a young boy close to her chest, his face turned towards the viewer with a direct, almost unsettling gaze. Her expression is somber, marked by a slight downturn of the mouth and heavy brow lines that suggest weariness or concern. A bright yellow headscarf frames her face, its folds adding volume and drawing attention to her features.
The child’s posture appears somewhat stiff; his arms are extended slightly forward, and his body seems rigid within the embrace. The artist has emphasized the childs roundness, particularly in the cheeks and forehead, creating a sense of vulnerability.
Behind them, an abstracted landscape unfolds. A tangle of green and blue foliage suggests trees or dense vegetation, painted with broad strokes that lack detail but contribute to a feeling of enclosure. The background is dark, almost black, which intensifies the focus on the figures in the foreground and creates a claustrophobic atmosphere.
The color palette is striking – dominated by yellows, greens, reds, and blues – applied in flat planes without much shading or blending. This contributes to an overall sense of emotional intensity and a departure from naturalistic representation. The use of such vibrant colors against the dark background generates a visual tension that amplifies the feeling of unease.
Subtly, the painting seems to explore themes of maternal responsibility and the burdens it carries. The woman’s expression and posture convey a sense of quiet suffering or resilience in the face of hardship. The childs direct gaze might suggest innocence confronting an uncertain world. The compressed space and intense colors contribute to a feeling of emotional confinement, hinting at social or economic pressures that weigh upon this family unit. It is possible to interpret the work as a commentary on the struggles faced by mothers during a period of significant societal change.