Helena Schjerfbeck - My Mother (1909)

Helena Schjerfbeck - My Mother (1909)
  • Title: My Mother
  • Artist: Helene Schjerfbeck (1862–1946)
  • Date: 1909
  • Made in: Finland
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 46 x 38 cm
  • Location: private collection, unknown location
  • Photo credit: Finnish National Gallery

Helene Schjerfbeck’s "My Mother" is a deeply moving portrait that captures the artist’s elderly mother with striking realism and emotional intensity. The painting stands out for the mixed emotions between mother and daughter.

The portrait depicts frailty and dignity of old age. Schjerfbeck’s mother is sitting in an armchair with her shoulders forward. She seems somewhat tense and does not look particularly "happy" to be posing or being sitting there. Schjerfbeck’s portrayal of her mother is not flattering nor loving either. The tension is reciprocal it seems.

THe painting compares to James McNeill Whistler’s famous portrait "Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1 (Whistler’s Mother).

Schjerfbeck’s "My Mother" is notable for its emotional rawness and realism, which contrasts with Whistler’s more stylized and abstracted approach. Where Whistler’s mother appears as an almost iconic figure, Schjerfbeck’s mother is portrayed with a visceral immediacy, making her vulnerability and humanity palpable. This difference highlights Schjerfbeck’s focus on the personal and psychological, while Whistler’s work leans toward the universal and aesthetic. Both paintings, however, stand as powerful tributes to motherhood, each reflecting the unique artistic vision of its creator.

The use of light in both paintings is also worth noting. Schjerfbeck employs a soft, natural light that gently illuminates her mother’s face, enhancing the sense of intimacy and warmth. In contrast, Whistler uses light to create dramatic contrasts and emphasize the formal elements of his composition. This distinction underscores the differing priorities of the two artists: Schjerfbeck’s interest in emotional connection and Whistler’s focus on visual harmony and design.

"My Mother" is a testament to Schjerfbeck’s ability to capture the complexity of human emotion through her art, including her own relationship with her mother and feelings for her. It invites viewers to reflect on the themes of aging, mother-daughter relationship, and the passage of time.

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