By Rmn-Grand Palais
Rmn-Grand Palais
The Dubufe family in 1820 (19th Century) by Claude-Marie Dubufe (1790-1864), Paris, Louvre MuseumOriginal Source: Paris, musée du Louvre
What could be more natural than to begin our exploration of glances and the feelings they express with "tenderness"? Here we refer to the tenderness of parents with regard to their children,
The New-born (17th Century) by Georges de La Tour (1493-1652), Rennes, musée des Beaux-ArtsOriginal Source: Agence photo de la Réunion des musées nationaux-Grand Palais
and especially that of mothers who so tenderly care for their children during the first days of their lives.
In Europe, the iconic "Virgin and Child" trope was seen as serious and severe until the Middle Ages, when it took on a certain tenderness and began to embody an ideal and universal kind of maternal love.
And so, the sacred entered daily life through Georges de La Tour's 17th-century work .
Mother and Child (20th Century) by Tamara de Lempicka (1898-1980), Beauvais, MUDO, musée de l'Oise, © Authorized by Tamara Art Heritage / Adagp, Paris, 2018Original Source: Beauvais, MUDO, musée de l'Oise
The daily life appeared sacred with Tamara de Lempicka in the 20th century.
The Dubufe family in 1820 (19th Century) by Claude-Marie Dubufe (1790-1864), Paris, Louvre MuseumOriginal Source: Paris, musée du Louvre
Indeed, the whole extended family has become conducive to evoking tenderness.
The Artistes Eldest Daughter Combing her Little Brother's Hair (17th Century) by Claude Lefebvre (1632-1675), Dijon, musée MagninOriginal Source: France, Dijon, musée Magnin
Mothers and their children have been swiftly joined by brothers, sisters, grandparents, and grandchildren.
An Old Man and his Grandson (15th Century) by Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449-1494) and Paris, musée du LouvreOriginal Source: Paris, Louvre museum
Helene Fourment with her Children (17th Century) by Peter Paul Rubens (1577- 1640), Paris, musée du LouvreOriginal Source: Paris, musée du Louvre
Subtle differences emanate from the attentive eyes of the characters featured, varying by generation: the astonishment of young mothers,
The Artistes Eldest Daughter Combing her Little Brother's Hair (17th Century) by Claude Lefebvre (1632-1675), Dijon, musée MagninOriginal Source: France, Dijon, musée Magnin
the gentleness and protection of the eldest,
An Old Man and his Grandson (15th Century) by Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449-1494) and Paris, musée du LouvreOriginal Source: Paris, Louvre museum
and the admiration of the youngest.
Self-Portrait with Her Daughter, Julie (1780-1819) (18th Century) by Louise-Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun (1755-1842) and Paris, Louvre museumOriginal Source: Paris, musée du Louvre
Body language, such as entwined arms or a hand resting on a shoulder or chest, reinforces the meaning behind these candid look directed at the onlooker, who is likely to find himself touched by these looks of love.
We would like to thank:
- For design, illustrations, writing, and coordination of the RMN-Grand Palais project: Cécile Maisonneuve (Doctor of Art History, Policy Officer, Scientific Council), Nathalie Gathelier (National Museums Speaker), Annie Madec (Iconographer), Françoise Lombardi-Peissel (Project Manager) at RMN-Grand Palais.
- For reproductions: French museum collections represented by the Photo Agency of the Réunion des musées nationaux-Grand Palais:
Montpellier, Musée Fabre; Versailles, Musée Lambinet; Lille, Palais des Beaux-Arts; Paris, The Louvre; Paris, Centre Pompidou (Musée National d'Art Moderne - Centre de Création Industrielle).
