Parenthood and familial scenes have offered much inspiration to artists throughout the centuries of art history. Prehistoric art shows us some of the first parents in art history with the mother goddess, a sovereign force of creation. In the West, the subject of parenthood has permeated throughout religious artifacts and Christian iconography. God serves as the original paternal figure to humankind. Nowhere is the presence of God, the Father, shown more fervently in artworks of the Renaissance. The omnipotent presence of God as the eternal father in Michelangelo's Creation of Adam provides the archetypal example. Likewise the Madonna figure is idolized among Christians as the venerated maternal figure of origin.
It is said that there is nothing more gratifying than nurturing children. From infanthood to childhood to adulthood, the saying is that it 'takes a village'. This is the narrative captured by the photographic work of Didier Bizet. His award-winning Baby boom series is inspired by a generation of parents.
Artworks inspired by parenthood do not always transpire as scenes of domestic bliss. Situations including domineering patriarchs, discord and separation often lean towards scenes of familial dysfunctionality rather than domestic harmony. Perhaps the popularity of artworks inspired by parenthood lies in the subject matter's honesty. Not all artworks inspired by parenthood depict scenes of happy families. Explore a vast array of artworks inspired by parenthood on Artsper through the work of Waleria Matelska, Alfredo Vilchis Roque, among other artists.
