RSA Scottish Art
La Culla
 | Artist: Robert Herdman |
| Title: La Culla | |
| Year: 1864 | |
| Medium: oil on canvas | |
| Dimensions: | |
| Suggested topic: | |
| Source: RSA Diploma Collection | |
| View full screen image of this work | |
| Open print version of this work | |
| Description: Robert Herdman specialised in painting figurative subjects taken from Scottish history.La Culla (translation from Italian: the cradle) shows the influence of Herdman's visit to Italy.The woman and child sit in a street close to Roman ruins and they are bathed in the warm sunlight of the Mediterranean. The figures relate to the image of the Madonna and Child, an art historical subject that Herdman would have had ample opportunity to study during his travels. The woman is gazing adoringly at her baby, and the baby is looking back contentedly, playing with the mother's hair. As a subject, a mother and child may often be seen, but this tender painting has a unique intimacy about it. The execution of the painting shows a striking ability to skilfully apply oil paint in order to imitate a variety of surfaces. Within this painting, Herdman has rendered worn and folded fabric, soft skin, stone, a woven basket and a convincing sky, all with absolute authenticity. The colour palette chosen is fresh and lively, full of warm hues and a convincing range of tones. Exquisite draughtsmanship is required to draw such a complicated figure arrangement.The mood of this scene is a tranquil one. There is a lot of contentment to be seen in the mother's face, and the interaction between mother and baby is joyful and loving. Sunshine illuminates the scene with great warmth, and the calm empty street seems very safe. It feels as though the viewer has turned a corner and stumbled upon a private moment of intense love and care. Can you imagine how the scene might seem different if there was a darker background or a less comfortable looking location? How does the sunny, peaceful scene impact upon our understanding of the bond between these two people? | |
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