From:Williamson Art Gallery and Museum

Name/TitleThe Artist's Mother Asleep

About this objectIn this intimate painting, Steer creates an almost abstract impression of his mother, Emma Steer née Harrison (1816-1898) in her final years.

The artist was born in Grange Mount, Birkenhead to Emma and Philip Steer (1810-1871). The elder Philip Steer was a portrait painter who gave the young artist his earliest training. As a child, Philip Wilson Steer slept with a paintbox under his pillow. He later studied in Paris from 1882-1884 where he became a follower of Impressionism. His family wealth provided a financial safety net for him to experiment with newer styles of painting.

MakerSteer, Philip Wilson (1860-1942)

Maker Rolepainter

Date Madec. 1893-1894

Period19th century

Medium and Materialsmedium: oil
support: panel

Style and IconographyImpressionist

Style and IconographyPortrait

Techniqueoil on panel

Measurementssupport height: 20.5 cm
support width: 27 cm

Credit LineBequest of WR Hornby Steer, 1993

Object Typepainting

Object numberBIKGM.8158

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved