On Motherhood

In honor of Mother’s Day, see how various artists explore motherhood as a facet of their own identity, a source of inspiration, or as a potent political symbol.

We begin with Dorothea Lange’s iconic photograph of a migrant mother and her children during the Great Depression, then journey through Louise Bourgeois’s fierce and elegant spider sculptures in “The Nest,” and leave you with discussion questions intended to prompt continued reflection on key works.

Untitled (Mexican Mother and Child)

Noel in the Kitchen

Migrant Mother of 6, Age 32, Now Living in California

Self-Portrait as My Mother, Jean Gregory

Mother’s Gentle Hands, from the series Rasen Kaigan

The Two Virginias

My Mother Posing for Me, from the series Pictures from Home

Mother, Lover, Daughter

Mother and Child

The Nest, 1994 - Louise Bourgeois

Mother Monument

Artwork image, Sargent John, Forever Free

Discussion Questions

Artwork image, Ana Mendieta, Tallus Mater

Discussion Questions

Tallus Mater (Madre Tallo/Stem Mother)