Motherhood, First Steps

The child, in a yellow shift and a coral necklace, has pulled himself upright on his mother's lap with one arm raised. She holds him with both hands and looks up at him, her hair dressed high with a curl at the temple. Her pale blue gown is painted with garlands of pink roses and edged in cream ruching down the front. Behind her the carved armchair shows its red upholstery, the skirt sweeping past the armrest to hide most of the seat.