Mother and Child

Mother and Child — John Wilson. 1952.

Medium: lithograph. Dimensions: Sheet: 66.3 x 50.4 cm (26 1/8 x 19 13/16 in.); Image: 54.8 x 47.1 cm (21 9/16 x 18 9/16 in.).

Collection record: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland. Museum connection according to this source; current display unverified.

Wilson reveals his interest in the human condition and his extraordinary talent for achieving dark tonalities and sculptural effects through images of African American life. A recurring theme is the portrayal of parents and children in loving, protective poses, suggesting universal values. The oversized hands and large scale reflect the impact of Wilson’s experience during a fellowship in Mexico City in the early 1950s; there he was attracted to the powerful imagery of Mexican muralists like Diego Rivera.

Source: official collection record. Metadata selected and normalized by Artline from the source export, accessed 10 September 2026; no museum endorsement. Reproduction rights are separate.