Artwork Page for Maternal Solicitude

Details / Information for Maternal Solicitude

Maternal Solicitude

1873

Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait

(American, born England, 1819–1905)
Culture
United States
Medium
oil on wood
Measurements
Unframed: 49.5 x 61 cm (19 1/2 x 24 in.)
Credit Line
Hinman B. Hurlbut Collection 1915.693
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

During the summer of 1861, Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait and his companions shot and killed one of the last native moose remaining in the Adirondack Mountains in New York.

Description

Maternal Solicitude depicts a doe with two fawns--one of which is dying--while a presumably hungry raven approaches. The painting's title suggests empathy for the deer, yet paradoxically artist Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait was an avid recreational hunter. During his long career, Tait specialized in creating mid-size, affordable animal paintings that were popular with private collectors.
A horizontally oriented oil painting depicts a snowy landscape where a brown doe stands centrally. One spotted fawn stands beside her, another lies curled on the ground. To the left, a large black bird with outstretched wings balances on the textured snow. Sunlight from the upper right casts blue-gray shadows. Along the right edge, thin trees and sparsely leafed branches rise, their delicate forms painted with fine strokes against the pale, winter light.

Maternal Solicitude

1873

Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait

(American, born England, 1819–1905)
United States

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork