As David and I have very little time together, just the weekend, we try to find ways of integrating our interests. Lately David has been joining me in the workroom on Saturday evening , I paint, he chats, drinks wine, but sometimes he reads an analytic article that piques his interest. This weekend the theme was the Dead Mother by the French psychoanalyst Andre Green.
I will not pretend that I comprehend much of the complexities David found so thrilling ; but it did strike a chord- like many folks I have issues.
My instinct was to create a painting around this archetype. After discussing the Dead Mother with my own psychologist, I was determined to at least get some idea on paper. Ultimately I would like to create a small secular, analytic icon, gilded ground with glowing green figures; but for now, this sketch will suffice.
For David, The Barren Breast.
The Barren Breast
graphite and watercolor on paper
Until next time, take care,
LG
Boondocks Babylon 
Wow, I’m so terribly lucky to have a husband so so talented and thoughtful! She’s Fantastic! I love that time together too…
Have you ever heard of the Victorian photographic tradition of photographing a child with the mother’s figure present, though shrouded in black veiling? It’s not entirely understood why this was done. There are some interesting theories, including the notion that when a mother was dead, a veiled surrogate stood in for her in mother/child photographs, but there are rare examples where the child is clearly dead and being supported by a shrouded mother. Whatever is behind the images, they’re both eery and compelling. You can see examples here:
http://ridiculouslyinteresting.com/2012/07/05/more-hidden-mothers-in-victorian-photography-post-mortem-photographs-or-not/
Thought this might fit in with the current debate in your studio on the subject of ‘the dead mother’.
Dear Clive,
I just love you, let’s just be clear!
I am vaguely aware of ghost mothers but always assumed that they were alive, holding squirming infants; this introduction to dead children with veiled, dead or not ,mothers is fascinating. Thank you for the link(s).
I have a long standing love of post-mortems, my Nana had an antique shop, daguerreotypes and early photographs weren’t that valued and I was given free access to them. Post-mortem images would pop up and they thrilled me, ACTUAL dead people!
I have an image of a dead man propped up on a stand, fascinating image, one in which I made a quick painting of several years ago- will need to dust off and post for you.
I have in fact been working on a larger painting of Dead Mother, I like the way she is progressing. i have taken your advice and I am working quickly or as quickly as I can.
As always, thank you,
LG