Motherhood Revisited

Hey New Mother! Feeling a little lost in your new life? With your new life? This beautiful set of images will help you combine your old love of art and culture with your life as a Mother. Wonder through these images in the comfort of your home, then bring your lamaze buddy and the baby to find the real images at the museum. Your baby will love the new, happy you!

Author's Note: This set is created for new mothers, typically 20-35 years old, who have enjoyed art as a hobby, student or professional, and want to combine their love of art with their newest love, Baby. These images show many aspects of motherhood, in various art forms. Let these images help you reconnect with the art world.

Disclaimer: Not all images are available at all times at the museums.

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Baby Doyle

Does your baby look like this adorable Gerber wonder? Photographer Sylvia Plachy took this photo in 1987, so this little one is now 25 years old. Time flies!

Artist: Sylvia Plachy
Date: 1987
Medium: Photographs, Photograph
Size: 14 15/16 x 14 15/16 in. (37.94 x 37.94 cm) (image)19 13/16 x 15 15/16 in. (50.32 x 40.48 cm) (sheet)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 98.143.6

Female Figure

Let's get personal. Does your body look like this? Or just feel like this? Be proud, just like this female figure!

This ceramic piece was likely crafted in Northestern Nigeria by the Longuda people and used for healing and divination rituals.

Artist: Artist Unknown (Longuda (?))
Date: early 20th century
Medium: Sculpture
Size: 25 7/8 x 8 9/16 x 9 9/16 in. (65.7 x 21.8 x 24.3 cm)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 99.167.2

Nurse Midwife (Maude Callen), Birth of Baby, South Carolina

Was your delivery room experience like this Life Magazine photo? Eugene Smith's photograph draws you in - look at the detail, the lighting and the angles.

Artist: W. Eugene Smith
Date: 1951
Medium: Photographs, Photograph
Size: 13 7/16 x 10 1/4 in. (34.13 x 26.04 cm) (image)20 x 15 15/16 in. (50.8 x 40.48 cm) (mount)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 96.110

Mother with Child

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Here you see a "nurturing" mother, made from an artist of the Yombe culture. Listen to the curator discuss this beautiful mother and baby.

Artist: Artist Unknown (Yombe)
Date: 20th century
Medium: Sculpture
Size: 21 1/8 in. (53.7 cm)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 90.68

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Water Baby

Syliva Plachy took this photo, same as the first cute baby picture. Out of the womb and into the water. Does this baby look frightened? Or trusting? Safe or unsafe?

Artist: Sylvia Plachy
Date: 1988
Medium: Photographs, Photograph
Size: 17 7/8 x 12 5/16in. (45.4 x 31.3cm)19 13/16 x 15 15/16 in. (50.32 x 40.48 cm) (sheet)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 98.143.9

"Baby Bird" still bank

As your baby grows you will think about his future. Maybe you will buy a bank for him, too. "Baby Bird" made by the Napier Company in the early 20th century is just squeaking for your pennies, nickels and dimes.

Artist: Napier Company
Date: early 20th century
Medium: Dolls, Toys and Games
Size: 3 3/8 x 2 3/8 x 2 9/16 in. (8.57 x 6.03 x 6.51 cm)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 2003.236.830

Madonna and Child with Grapes

Lucas Cranach the Elder's 1537 painting on the left shows Madonna, child and grapes. Mary Cassatt's 1897 painting on the right shows mother and child. These are caring mothers, just like you. How is the subject matter similar or different? How are the colors and technique similar or different? Do you feel a connection to either painting?

These painting were created over 350 years apart, from completely different cultures, but some themes are universal. Would you agree?

Artist: Lucas Cranach the Elder
Date: c. 1537
Medium: Paintings, Painting
Size: 22 1/2 x 13 5/8 in. (57.15 x 34.61 cm) (panel)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: 68.41.4

Woman Holding a Baby

Mothers are caring for their babies 24 hours a day, all across our planet. When you wake in the middle of the night to feed your newborn, thousands of other mothers are caring for their babies at that very same moment.

This color woodblock print, made by Japanese artist Keisai in the early 1800's, reminds us that motherhood is universal.

Artist: Keisai Eisen
Date: 19th century
Medium: Prints, Print
Size: 7 5/8 x 4 7/8 in. (19.3 x 12.4 cm) (image, sheet)
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Accession #: P.75.51.179.2

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Reclining Mother and Child

British sculptor Henry Moore is famous for abstract art that beautifully shows its meaning. Does this sculpture of a mother and baby show you the strength and power you now have?

Artist: Henry Moore

Date: 1960-1961
Medium: Sculpture, Sculptures
Size: overall 90 x 35.5 x 52 inches
Institution: Walker Art Center
Accession #: 1963.11

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BabyAsArt

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Now, the Minnesota Institute of Art and the Walker Art Center are not the only places to find inspiring art - take a look at these beautiful newborns by photographers Carrie Sandoval and Brittany Woodall. Enjoy!

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