“Maternal,” created in 1944 by William H. Johnson, is an exemplary artwork belonging to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and falls under the genre of genre painting. The artwork depicts a poignant maternal scene featuring a mother and child, characterized by bold, simplified forms and vibrant colors typical of the naivist approach.
In the artwork, a mother is seated on a wooden chair, tenderly nursing her child. The mother is attired in a yellow dress adorned with black and white patterns, which stand out against the muted green background. Her bare feet firmly rest on the ground, indicating a sense of stability and grounding. The child, cradled in her arms, wears a blue and white checkered garment. The use of primary colors and the modest composition evoke a sense of warmth, intimacy, and simplicity. The absence of intricate details and the focus on the emotional bond between the figures reflect the essence of Primitivism, where the artist emphasizes pure, unrefined expression.
