From Historic to modern - Jenny Saville

After researching a wealth of historical artists, I decided to looked at how the subject of 'mother and child' had changed over time. Therefore I looked at the recent artist, Jenny Saville. Saville lives and works in Oxford and recently showcased her work at the Ashmoleum museum in 2012. Saville is well known for pushing the boundaries on social norms.

I took inspiration from Saville because I was inspired by her ability to capture the realistic movement of the mother and her children. Her drawings contrast considerably with the historic paintings from which she has taken influence.

Once such painting which Saville took particular influence from was that of Leonardo Da Vinci and his painting of the 'Virgin and Child with St Anne and St John the Baptist'.

The influence from this paintings is evident in her own drawings. Saville has been inspired by the movement of the children which is obvious to see by the abstract lines that she uses in her works.

Saville manages to create empathy in her works. The viewer is forced to look at them, not just because of their sheer scale but because it is something that is not often shown in society. Her paintings contrast completely with the images of the virgin and child which I have researched, where the Virgin is completely clothed, symbolised. Saville's drawings on the other hand depict a more realistic view of a mother and her children. The reality of the swollen belly in which the mother nurtures her child, the reality of the child not sitting still and searing for attention. Their is a beauty in her drawings, a beauty which many parents can relate to.

I have been inspired by Saville's drawings because of the reality which surround them. Since researching the photographer Magdalena Berny, I have come to realise that it is important to portray children in their natural states. I have also been attracted to Saville's idea of overlapping the drawings. I like how they show movement of the children. Consequently, I have produced a response to Saville. These drawings have been produced from a photograph. They were taken consecutively and  show the exploration of my nephew as he uses his sense of taste to feel the environment around him.

This drawing shows the child pulling himself up, onto the table. I like the composition of his eyes and the three fingers that seem to stick to the table.

The second drawing comes straight after the first. I have put these two drawings together on the same page, next to each other so that it is possible to see the movement of the head.