Mother 2. 1913 Kuzma Sergeevich Petrov-Vodkin (1878-1939)

The composition presents a seated woman nursing an infant within a vast landscape. The setting appears rural; a field of golden grain dominates the foreground, stretching towards hazy blue mountains in the distance. The woman is positioned on what seems to be a rough-hewn stone or embankment, her posture suggesting weariness and quiet resilience. She wears a red skirt and headscarf, contrasting sharply with the muted tones of her blouse and the surrounding environment. A simple cloth bundle rests beside her, hinting at a life lived close to necessity.
The artist’s handling of color contributes significantly to the overall mood. The warm yellows and golds of the field evoke both abundance and potential hardship – the promise of harvest tempered by the labor required to achieve it. The blue mountains recede into an indistinct plane, creating a sense of distance and perhaps isolation. The red accents on the woman’s attire draw attention to her presence within this expansive scene, simultaneously highlighting her vulnerability and strength.
The paintings subtexts revolve around themes of motherhood, labor, and connection to the land. The act of nursing is depicted not as an idealized moment but as a quiet necessity, performed amidst the demands of daily life. The woman’s gaze is averted, suggesting introspection or perhaps a resignation born from experience. Her posture conveys a sense of physical exhaustion, yet her grip on the child implies unwavering devotion.
The landscape itself functions as more than just a backdrop; it embodies the environment that shapes and sustains this familys existence. It speaks to a life intertwined with nature’s rhythms – a life both demanding and rewarding. The scale of the field relative to the figure emphasizes her smallness within a larger, indifferent world, yet also underscores her integral role in its continuation. Ultimately, the work conveys a poignant portrayal of maternal endurance and the quiet dignity found within rural existence.