Wojciech WEISS (1875-1950), Maternity, circa 1920.

oil, canvas; 81 x 65 cm;
signed l. d.: WW
On the reverse, facsimile of the artist's signature WW and numeral 4;
above, no. 0727.
An unusual, modern painting, standing out among the harmonious, color-saturated compositions of Wojciech Weiss. The sparing form of the free outline of the figures' contours, the dominant lime white and gray dotted with black lines outlining the figures of the mother and child is irresistibly associated with the works of Leopold Gottlieb.
However, this minimalism of the means of expression used allows the artist to bring out the depth of the very essence of motherhood. The bond between mother and child is clearly discernible, if only through the gesture of the bent head, as if the woman is listening to the child's finest desires. With one hand, she plays with her daughter, while the other hand embraces her from behind, giving her a sense of security. The nakedness of the mother, who is only shielded by a delicate shirt, and the nakedness of the child make us participants in an intimate scene; maternal love and care for her offspring. Beautiful light falls on the mother's bare breast and her face, giving the impression of peace and abundance.
The composition reveals the artist's immense sensitivity to maternal love, to family relations, to the growth of a new generation. At the time the artist painted this picture, a child appeared in his life, his daughter Anna - later a doctor and lecturer at the Medical Academy - was born. Perhaps this was the inspiration for this painting, or perhaps the artist's wife and daughter were even portrayed on this canvas.
It can certainly be said that this painting has a deeper dimension. Its hidden beauty is the mood that best defines the much significant word maternity in our culture and art.