My Mother - Carl Larsson

A sensitive watercolour portrait of the artist's mother, painted by Carl Larsson in 1893 at his home in Sundborn.

This portrait, titled Mor (Mother), depicts the artist's mother seated in the family home at Sundborn. Carl Larsson, a central figure in Swedish art, produced this work in August 1893. The composition is characteristic of his domestic style, which often focused on the intimate lives of his family members within their home environment. The subject sits centrally, dressed in a dark, modest gown with a patterned shawl draped over her shoulders. Her hands are clasped in her lap, and her expression is one of quiet composure. Larsson employs a delicate line quality, using ink outlines to define the forms before applying subtle watercolour washes. The background is sparse, featuring framed prints on the wall that provide a sense of place and personal history. The palette is restrained, relying on muted tones of grey, brown, and cream to maintain a focus on the figure. Larsson's approach to portraiture during this period moved away from the heavy academic traditions of the time. Instead, he favoured a lighter, more graphic sensibility that aligned with the aesthetic values of the Arts and Crafts movement. The work captures a moment of stillness, reflecting the artist's ability to imbue domestic scenes with a sense of dignity and calm. The inclusion of the date and the title in the lower left corner is typical of his practice, grounding the image in a specific time and personal context. This print offers a clear view of Larsson's technical skill in balancing ink drawing with watercolour, creating a work that is both observational and deeply personal.