Motherhood - Sketch for fresco panel

Artist William Dyce (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1806 - 1864)

Mediumoil on panel

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 18.4 cm, Width: 50.5 cm
Frame: Height: 29.5 cm, Width: 61 cm

AcquisitionBequeathed in 1940 by Miss Ella C Dyce.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003222

Keywords

About MeThe subject of the sketch is Charity, the foremost of the three theological virtues. Dyce recreates a traditional Gothic representation of Charity, where the figure of a woman performs six acts of mercy. The mother figure is surrounded by six infants, each representative of one of the six acts.

The motivation behind the work remains a mystery. When it entered the collection in 1940 it was accompanied by a note suggesting it was a study for the central panel in the Queen's Robing Room. If this was the case it must have been a very early idea, for the Arthurian Legends were decided upon as a subject several years before the commission was awarded to Dyce. An unknown work entitled Faith was exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy in 1841. This may hint that Dyce had intended to illustrate all three virtues, Faith, Hope and Charity, in his original plan for the fresco scheme.

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I'm sure we have all seen that despairing look on a mother's face!