the first love: mother and child paintings, a tribute to mothers
83I believe that a mother's love is the first love that we have all experienced. Her love, no matter how different from what we see in movies or read in books or witness across the street, is the most unconditional kind and, in all probability, will last the longest. No fading, ever more intense and not even death can come between.
So in honor of these great women, our mothers, and their even greater love for us, I have chosen beautiful images, works of art, to celebrate this divine love and to remind everyone that no individual who walked this earth passed unloved. And to all the mothers who will pay this hub a visit, I will never be a mother but I am honored to tell you that I have one as remarkable as you in my house who still refuses to believe and accept that I am all grown up. I hope you enjoy this little tribute sprinkled with some quirky quotes. And oh, Happy Mother's Day.
By the way, I also wrote a poem about the same subject a few hubs back, but it's slightly on the heavy side.
madonna litta (1450), leonardo da vinci
"And so our mothers and grandmothers have, more often than not anonymously, handed on the creative spark, the seed of the flower they themselves never hoped to see -- or like a sealed letter they could not plainly read."
Alice Walker
madonna with the long neck (1534), parmigianino
"A mother's arms are more comforting than anyone else's."
Diana, Princess of Wales
midnight: the hours of the rat; mother and sleepy child (woodblock print) (1790), kitagawa utamaro
"Whenever I'm with my mother, I feel as though I have to spend the whole time avoiding land mines."
Amy Tan
mother roulin with her baby (1888), vincent van gogh
"If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much."
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
mother and child (1893), edmund c. tarbell
"If you've never been hated by your child, you've never been a parent."
Bette Davis
mother and child (1905), gustav klimt
"Spend at least one Mother's Day with your respective mothers before you decide on marriage. If a man gives his mother a gift certificate for a flu shot, dump him."
Erma Bombeck
motherhood angelina child (1916), diego rivera
"By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class."
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
mother and child (1921), pablo picasso
"At work, you think of the children you have left at home. At home, you think of the work you've left unfinished. Such a struggle is unleashed within yourself. Your heart is rent."
Golda Meir
mother and child (1931), tamara lempicka
"Sometimes when I look at all my children, I say to myself, 'Lillian, you should have stayed a virgin.'"
Lillian Carter
mother holding baby (1986), keith haring
"When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child."
Sophia Loren
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I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood
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The Artist's Mother: A Tribute by History's Greatest Artists to the Women Who Created Them
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Comments
Absolutely wonderful Cris! An artist's tribute to mothers couldn't be better!
Thanks Cris! I know you've made your mother proud..
Jama - yeah, I've come to know the American impressionist myself. :D
Shalini - you're right, what else could be better? :D
Tharell - I know she is, she just wouldn't show it! :D
Never mind making his mother proud, he makes me proud : )
These paintings are truly beautiful. Such a lovely tribute to mothers everywhere. Thank you.
Bad
I wouldn't take you for a sweet thing! Guess looks could be deceiving, huh? Thanks ma friend :D
Dottie1
Thanks, but the honor and the pleasure are mine. Glad you like this :D
Beautiful paintings....a lovely tribute Cris. Loved the Erma Bombeck quote.
Thanks Diana. Ms Bombeck's quite the bomb alright! :D
Very well-put-together (as I'm finding every one of your hubs!). I appreciate how you included so many different painting styles and some of the quotes made me chuckle. Thanks!
Azur Moon Wolf (love your hubber name!)
Anything for our mothers, right? Glad you like this one! Thanks for dropping by :D
I do enjoy how you can bring such elegance to a topic. Out with the sentimentality, and in with class.
Another wonderful hub, Cris! This is something I'll share with my friends on Mothers' Day! Thanks for this hub.
This is a great tribute to moms everywhere. It's interesing to see the diiferent images of the same subject.
Teresa
You can say I avoided the usual, afterall the theme is sentimental enough already. Glad you like this. It's always nice to hear what you have to say :D
France
Thanks, I sure hope this is worthy of all our dear precious. Thanks for always checking out my hubs my friend :D
Pete
I did try to add variety. Glad you appreciate it. Thanks for dropping by :D
How strange is this - I saw the hub as soon as it was posted and there was no comment box then!! I've forgotten my instantaneous reaction but the paintings are beautiful! :)
FP
I'm sorry about that, our friend Shalini had to remind me. I usually delete the comment box when I'm writing/editing a hub as it distracts me - thoughts of feedback do that to me. I just, again, forgot to put it back! Thanks for checking back again! :D
Ah, that's ok then...I thought I was going barmy or something! :P
These are fabulous! I really like the one by Edmund C. Tarbell. I would love to have a copy of it.
Yeah, Tarbell's work, like most Impressionists', have that effect on the eyes. They're so shimmering and playful and magical. Help yourself. Thanks for dropping by :D
Cris - As always wonderful, beautiful and moving. Klimt and Rivera are favorites of mine and I love Sophia Loren's quote because it is so true.
Hey TM
Glad you like this and thanks for dropping by. And while we're on the subject, remember, mothers-in-law are mothers, too! LOL :D
Wow! Did you notice the powerful way Piccasso expressed the love of the mother? Her right arm raised with clenched fist and jjust look at the masculinity in that arm! I love the expression on Mom's face in the Parmigianino painting as well. Nice job Cris.
Hey, enjoyed these and CC is right about the mother's fist in the Picasso, looks like she's going to wallop the child
Hey thanks C.! coming from an artist such as yourself is gratifying (as if I painted those myself! LOL)
Thanks for dropping by, you inspire (and spoil) me :D
cindy
Of course I can always count on you and your twisted mind! LOL thanks for stalking C. :D
Yeah, my mind's like a pretzel
These are all ravishing works of art Cris, and thank you for the tribute to mother's:)
LOL@Cindy
Jamie - Don't mention it, twas my pleasure. Thanks for dropping by :D
Stunning choice of paintings, Cris. I had all but forgotten Parmigianino and when I saw the "Madonna with the Long Neck," the memories of my art history classes all came rushing back to me! I too appreciate the quotes you selected with each painting. Although I only recently came to appreciate Lempicka, I must admit this is the first Tarbell I have seen. You have piqued my interest in both now and I am off to do more research. You are such an asset to this site in the way of art. I always look forward to your blogs, but particularly those regarding art. Happy Mother's Day to the one that raised such a fine son.
Dink
That was what I felt too when I was putting this together. Those hours in the darkroom with the projector on! Sigh indeed!
It's nice that tarbell piqued your interest as he was a fine American impressionist. And Lempicka too is interesting, a socialite painter! Who knew right? :D
Thanks for the kind words, they are truly appreciated :D
yes 'tarbell' as well as 'klimt' are my favs here.. this is very much from the good heart you have Cris and you must also have a wonderful mom cause look at what she produced ! ! ! THANK YOU for the nice tribute to us Mother's...Love Ya Babe G-Ma :O) Hugs
P.S. give a big HUG to her for me....Please
Beautiful tribute. I love the paintings and quotes you chose. Lovely variety. Got lost in this hub. Thanks.
What a moving and beautiful tribute to moms! Did you show this to your mom? All of your painting choices AND quotes are wonderful! This time I refuse to pick just one because there was something in each of them that I loved equally. :)
Beautiful Hub. You coverd quite a few styles in your painting choices from Da vinci to Haring. Great quotes, not the expected ones. Nice touch.
Thanks, Cris. Stuff like this means a lot to me as a mother. The artwork is fantastic and the quotes are cute. I love that you did this! Thanks!
Who knew so many famous painters have done a beautiful job of mothers and their babies. I wouldn't be able to draw any of them paintings except the last one. BTW, when you first published this hub, did you forget to include your comment box?
Very nice Cris. Thank you, I always forget I'm a mother this one is a good reminder. LOL
G-Ma
As I've said above, the pleasure is entirely mine. I'm glad that all the mothers who have commented appreciated this labour of love.
PS I will, if she'll let me!!! LOL Lurve Ya More :D :D
Soulabee
Yeah, most of the quotes are from mothers. I'm glad to note they weren't lying when they said them! ;D
Pam
Aren't they just amazing? You don't have to choose, enjoy all of them Pam. And I think I'd like a quote from you as it seems most of the quotes above could've been said by you!
Paper Moon
Glad you appreciate the little variety. As for the quotes, the theme is sentimental enough, I avoided going overboard.
EM
hey thanks, I have a soft spot for mothers. Don't we all?
may
Actually most artists, when they venture into portraiture, paint their mothers. Though some turn out not as famous as their other workd. As for the comment box, I did foget to put it back when I was done editing. Sorry!
sheena
Now don't forget! Eva eva!
Thanks all for converging on this hub! :D :D :D
Like JamaGenee, I would've sworn the Tarbell was a Monet! Goes to show you how much I know about art.
Cris, honey, you will always be your mom's baby boy. Just ask my son about that. I'm pretty sure that I've noticed him cringing when I refer to him that way - he's older than you. My daughters don't mind if I refer to them as my little girls, even though they're all grown up. Or if they do, they don't react negatively in front of me. Good kids!
You chose appropriately beautiful works of art to portray the loving mother sentiment but I think that your words were even more moving, Cris. No wonder your mom is so proud of you!
Shirley
That's what confuses me about mothers like you. You know exactly the things that would make your children cringe and you still do it! I guess there are things that even mothers cannot overcome. Things bigger than them - like maternal love?
When it comes from the heart, it really sounds good, no? I'm sure she is, if I can squeeze it out of her! :D Thanks for dropping by :D
Wonderful..wonderful!No words for such a touching and beautiful hub!The paintings are just great and I was truely consoled by Bette Davis's quote!:)When you advice the kids(grown up ofcourse,lol) and they dont like it..you do get that impression..lol!I've bookmarked this!Thanks for a truely great tribute to mothers.My son-in-law's mother had passed away about 8 months back and yesterday he rang me up and told me that he wanted to hear my voice as he was missing his mother !I thought that was the best tribute I could get on Mother's Day!
Laila
I like the story, it certainly goes against the grain of the "evil" mother-in-law stereotype! Kidding aside, thanks for sharing that touching story. It's a testament to how loving you are! And I'm glad you like this little tribute hub! :D
Very, very nice, very very touching - and- so educative. Hm...advice from Erma Bombeck I find very useful...thanks for that.
I really like the paintings you chose for your hub. Re what Shirley said, I think you're right, mothers can't help themselves. It drives their kids crazy, though. I'm sure she doesn't do it publicly. In fact, I know her - she doesn't.
Did you let your mom read this?
Inspiring. Once a mother, always a mother. Excellent choice of art work.
All the quotes by women, all the paintings by men - hmmmm? Why is that? Does men not have anything to say about their mothers? Do women artists no depict their greatest moments?
Tatjana
Thanks for dropping by. Glad you liked it. :D
Herald Daily
Well you must know her very well then.
Will wait until the 10th - she loves it dramatic! LOL
Birte
Interesting query.I'll have to look into it. Oh btw, Lempicka's a woman.Thanks for dropping by. I appreciate the feedback :D
"mother and child (1893), edmund c. tarbell" is by far my favorite. Thanks for this Cris.
Aw you're always welcome RB :D
I can't believe you did all that by yourself! The Hub looks artistic. Nice tribute Cris as mothers (all mothers) deserve more than that. The Mother is almost a goddess in my opinion. Nice work Cris.
Hi CrisA, another beautiful collection of paintings. I truly enjoyed looking at them all, simply amazed at each uniqueness and work of art. Creativity shining forth. Beautiful! And I had to laugh at you saying that your mom doesn't quite see that you are all grown up now... I feel the same way too. I think mothers will always believe we are their little kids forever. HAHAHA
Just beautiful Cris give Sorel some hints will ya ? We had Mother's day a few weeks ago over her - and I got a DVD set that she really wanted ! BTW "The Hulkster" posted this on twitter and I've just re-tweeted it ...................
shamel
Yes, I agree our mothers are our goddesses but I won't stop with that. They are also our bosses, our conscience and number one 1 fan! Glad you like this! :D
Hey Michelle!
Glad you can come by and check this out this hub. True dat, she won't let go. It's okay if there's no other people around! LOL Thanks for the kind words :D
Iphi
Oh trust me, Sorel would know what to do. Besides she knows you better, right? Oh goody, thanks for twittering (is that how it's called?) this. Thanks for dropping by :D
Hey, no fair talking about me when I'm not around...you should do it while I'm here. :)
Herald's right, I don't do it publicly or often but your babies are your babies, no matter how old they are.
Shirley
LOL okay, next time your name comes up I'll give ya a holler!
Spoken like a mother! :D
Thanks!
Hey, the "Spoken like a mother!" thing....did I just see you cringe?
No you did not, but I got reminded of my mother! :D
Sorry, occupational hazard in the mom zone.
That's what I said :D
You guys still hashing this out? :)
No I think we're done! LOL :D
Hey Cris~ What a great tribute! I enjoyed the paintings - I'm not very well-educated on art, but they looked good to me! I think the first one is the coolest...
Hey Amy G!
Wattup?! You've been scarce lately. Anyway, glad you found your way here! Yeah da vinci's one cool dude if there ever was one. And btw, did you see the code?! Thanks for dropping by :D
aw man. its too late for me to call mom. first thing in the morning. this also makes me so grateful that my wife is a great mother...to know my daughter has a beatiful, strong woman to look up to. great work my friend.
TRT
You should! Aw, that'suweeet about the wifey. Glad you like this and I appreciate your dropping by :D
Beautiful art choices. A brillant way to say 'Happy mother's day'.
Thanks for putting together this rich and beautiful hub Cris A...my favourite is Leonardo but they are all truly inspiring....also enjoyed the quotes from the ascerbic to the maternal...a great way to say "Happy Mother's Day"! Our Mother's Day is next Sunday (10th) so we are a little after you in our celebration of this day....cheers
Sandy
Thanks for dropping by :D
ajcor
Well hey there stranger! Yes, this would be like a week-long greeting! LOL thanks for dropping by and I'm glad to see you again :D
Well, I suppose I should post my own lil painting of my own mother now since you have commented on how artist always paint Mom. My first one was huge, and she was too critical of it, my siblings cried when they saw it. I got pissed at Mom and painted over it for spite, she died, I felt awful and did a small one of her when she was 30 years old. I did an awsome ink drawing of my Dad and my eldest sis cried like a baby when she saw that one. He's been dead since 1958, she died in 1997. I cherish my artwork of them both and their paintings hang in a prominent place in my home. thanks Cris for this wonderful tribute to Mom. now I need a kleenex. LOL
C.
That's a touching story. Thanks for sharing it here. And it's true, mothers are often the artists' first portraiture subject. :D
sorry, no kleenex! LOL
Cris A, never fails to deliver. Whatever topic you post about, I'm sure to view it as soon as I can.
hey ya kudlit!
Thanks for dropping by. I hope I'll never fail you! LOL :D
Cris,
You make us all proud- why, though a spark, you do ignite a few sensitive, precious spots... and well well well, you do it 'Quite very well'. :)
Double Touche!
Nazish
Ahh thanks for the sweet words. I love little sparks as sometimes they're all that's needed. Yes, double touche! :D
I'm feeling cranky..I didn't see the notice when you did this piece! It's beautiful.. and I believe I looked like the diego R piece, just this morning.. but now I'm more like the lempicka piece. It's amazing what 1 pot of coffee will do! thank you from a mom and a girl *both me*
Candie
1 pot of coffee you say? You are my kind of mom-girl then! Yep, the day's not over. You might go to bed later feeling more like da vinci's work of art :D
Oh CrisA this hub is beautiful,just like you.
BP
Thanks for dropping by. Glad you like this, too! :D
The quote by Bette Davis sums up my feelings about motherhood quite accurately :-) Impressive, Cris, as always!
I really liked most of these pictures, and that you care about the whole mum thing...... some people never seem to realize how important mum's really are.... thanks for sharing these pictures
Elena.
Hey thanks. Glad you stopped by to comment despite your hectic sked! *wink* I really appreciate it! :D
Brenda
Oh I won't forget how important my mom is to my life! She reminds me everyday! LOL Glad you like this. The pleasure is mine :D
Well it's another day, and again I look like the Diego piece..can I just put the coffee in an IV for overnight, that would give me a headstart on the lempicka look.. I might be on to something.. I gotta go..I mean I really do!
LOL the IV sounds a good idea. If you do not end up looking somewhere near the Lempicka look, change the brand! Okay, go, now! :D
Cris, this may not suit you, but ya have to read accofranco hub on how to make love to a woman. you remember when he came and wanted to know about sex in the forums? haha well, he lost his virginity, LOL now he's an expert
LOL Do I really have to? I mean I know how I lost mine, and wouldn't think it's any different from how the others lost theirs! But okay, as long as you promise it's a fun read! :D
thnks Cris. I was laughing so hard i couldn't read it all. haha
Oh no! I should be the one thanking you! Twas quite a fun read, the hub and your comment! LOL
Btw, now I'd have to delete our little comments for momma has yet to read this hub! I don't want her getting the wrong idea about my hub friends! LOL :D
ok dude
Hey C. I was joking. Besides, she knows you already! Ha! :D
Wow, what a wonderful hub - and even more special that it was written by a man! Very touching - mothers are awesome people!
mamahops
I'm only giving back the love, in ways I know how. Glad you like this, yes you are awesome! :D
Perfect Mother's Day subject.
Oh you know me, I'm all about perfection! Snicker that! LOL :D
Nice photos...great hub, thanks for sharing.
Glad you like this hub. Thanks for dropping a line :D
Has your avatar slightly changed ChrisA. I just looked at it then and it appears to be a lot different. Wow that is hot to trot.
Yeah BP...It's a sneaky change.....just barely noticeable.....sneaky Cris :-)
Yes very sneaky indeed like slightly taking someones meat ball and slipping in a Brussell Sprout hahah
Beautiful and very insightful. You must have a wonderful mother. You were raised well!
BP / R. Blue - I snuck it in under your radars! Ha!
Dorrene R - Yes she's wonderful, most of the time anyway! LOL Glad you like it :D
Thank you for including the Diego Rivera piece. I had no idea that he was into Cubism - it's a shame he gets little recognition for works outside his Mexican mural paintings.
Lorna
His pre-mural art was mainly influenced by Picasso and Gris. This was when he was in Paris. But I guess it's true that his "social paintings" of the Mexican milieu became more popular than his earlier work. Thanks for dropping by :D
I love it. My favorite picture was the Lempicka, and the Tarbel. Shows how much I know about art. I thought the Tarbel was Monet. Thanks for the enligtenment, and the lightheartedness.
Drop by my site when you have the chance. Happy Day !
R Burow
R.Burow
Thanks for dropping by. Yeah. there was Tarbel - an American impressionist. Glad you like this little tribute :D
Well penned, and a wonderful tribute to mothers by you with a very comprehensive art collection. I loved it.
Katy
This is the least I could do. Thanks, glad you like this :D
Thank you, Chris, for such a great tribute to mothers--and the paintings are beautiful, especially the Tarbel...
The quotes are great, too, especially the one by Jackie Onassis--I'd never heard it before, but it is so true!
My own son wrote this one and it meant the world to me because I know he came up with it all by himself, lol:
"If it werent for her then I wouldnt have had the two best parents around. She has done more for me than ammo has done for guns.Without her I would not have anything."
I am loving your hubs, Chris--Can't wait to read more of them!
Tammy
Great quote by you son,,,and that would be Deece? Thanks for dropping by. Glad you like it :D
JamaGenee says:
7 months ago
Wow, I would've sworn the Tarbell was a Monet. I'll have to check out the rest of his work. Thanks!
Oh, and this is a wonderful tribute to Motherhood! ;D