Mutter und Kind (Mother and Child)
Painting on paper • Emil Nolde
Style & Movement
German Expressionism (Die Brücke)
Medium & Technique
Watercolor on Japanese paper; wet-on-wet technique with saturated pigments and minimal pre-sketching
Creation Period
Circa 1930-1940
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 25 x 18 cm; Portrait format
Subject Description
A close-up, intimate double portrait of a woman and a young child. The figures are rendered with non-naturalistic, vibrant colors typical of Nolde's 'Unpainted Pictures' era, emphasizing emotional depth and psychological connection over anatomical accuracy. The composition is tight, focusing on the expressive faces and the contrast between the mother's contemplative profile and the child's frontal gaze.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the paper edges show characteristic deckle and slight undulation consistent with Japanese paper and water-based media.
Estimated Market Value
€120,000 - €180,000
Auction Estimate
€80,000 - €120,000
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a private estate or a collection with a history of acquiring works from the Nolde Foundation or early German Expressionist dealers. Currently listed as Lot 154 for an upcoming Ketterer Kunst auction.
Art Historical Significance
A significant example of Nolde's mastery of watercolor, capturing the human condition through intense color. Such works are highly valued for their directness and their survival through the artist’s 'degenerate art' period under the Nazi regime.
Notable Features
Signature 'Nolde' visible in the lower left corner. The use of highly absorbent Japan paper allows for the deep, bleed-through luminosity that is a hallmark of the artist's authentic hand.
Condition Issues
Potential light-induced fading of certain volatile organic pigments; minor cockling of the thin Japanese paper support.
Conservation Recommendations
Mount using acid-free reversible hinges; display behind UV-protective glass; maintain stable humidity and low light levels (approx. 50 lux) to prevent pigment degradation.