The Sick Mother (La mère malade)

Albert Besnard

National Gallery of Art

This etching depicts a woman reclining in bed, looking towards two children positioned near her. The woman is on the right side of the image, facing to the left towards the children, who are in profile. She has light skin, delicate facial features, and dark hair covered with a white cloth. She is wearing white clothing that blends into the bedding she sits on. On the left, the two children stand at the foot of her bed. One of the children, closer to the woman, has long hair and is dressed in darker clothing. They hold a bowl out towards the woman. The other child has short hair and is also dressed in dark clothing, and they lean on a nearby surface, looking towards the woman. In the background, dark curtains frame the bed.