Mother and Child (Mother's Love)
Original painting on canvas • Ruby Canter
Style & Movement
Contemporary Decorative Realism / Romanticized Illustration
Medium & Technique
Oil and/or Acrylic on canvas with dimensional impasto; featuring heavy texture on the clothing and hat to create a 3D effect against a smooth, airbrushed background.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1980s-1990s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 24 inches; Vertical Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A sentimental depiction of a mother and daughter of African descent sharing a close moment. The mother wears a wide-brimmed white hat with pastel floral accents, and the child features small red hair ties. The composition uses high-key colors and a soft-focus background to emphasize the intimacy and affection of the subject.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the canvas appears taut and colors remain bright, though there is visible surface dust and minor frame wear.
Estimated Market Value
$200 - $500
Auction Estimate
$100 - $300
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a retail gallery or decor shop; secondary market acquisition (based on proximity to a shopping cart in the image). Known signature on upper right.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of late 20th-century decorative portraiture that focused on positive, idealistic depictions of family life. Ruby Canter is known for her sentimental style and unique 'puff' or relief paint techniques that add physical dimension to the clothing of her subjects.
Notable Features
Heavy, sculptural relief paint on the white collars and hat; distinct signature of Ruby Canter on the upper right quadrant.
Condition Issues
Minor surface accumulation of dust; possible light yellowing of the varnish/medium in the white areas; frame has minor abrasions.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning to remove dust; housing in a climate-controlled environment to prevent cracking of the thick impasto paint; UV-protective glass if reframed.
Collector Notes
Ruby Canter?