Painted in 1965, Mother and Child is both a deeply personal and universally resonant work. The composition portrays a quiet, everyday moment in a typical Nepali household: a mother, seated cross-legged on a mat, draws her child to her chest in a loving embrace. A small window opens into pale light, and a pair of slippers—simple yet symbolic—rest nearby, underscoring the domestic setting.
At the time, Bangdel’s own daughter, Dina, was still a toddler, and this painting reflects his awe at the quiet heroism and devotion of his wife, Manu, as a mother. But beneath the surface lies a deeper current: Bangdel’s own grief and longing for the mother he lost as a young child. In capturing this moment of unconditional love, he is both witnessing it in real time and reaching back to a bond he barely knew but deeply yearned for.
Soft hues of lilac, ochre, and sage envelop the scene in tenderness, while gentle outlines and flowing forms create a sense of stillness and security. Mother and Child is not just a depiction—it is an act of remembrance, healing, and reverence.
Details
- Title : Mother and Child, 1965
- Year : 1965
- Artist : Lain Singh Bangdel
- Classification : Painting
- Medium : Oil on canvas
- Dimension : Size 17 7/10 × 20 9/10 in | 45 × 53 cm, Framed Size 26 2/5 × 29 1/2 in | 67 × 75 cm
- Collection : Tansbao Gallery
- Credit Line : Tansbao Gallery
- Acquisition Method : Actioned
- Status : Frieze Seoul I 2- 5 Sept 2026 I For sale I Tansbao Gallery I On Hold