A Tender celebration of motherhood by Mai Trung Thứ

Mai Trung Thứ arrived in France in 1937 and devoted himself entirely to ink and colour on silk, a medium that preserved the luminosity of his pigments and the satin-like softness of the support. He became renowned for his intimate portrayals of everyday life, particularly women and children. Although maternal figures occupy a special place in his work, they are far rarer than his numerous portraits of women captured in private, domestic moments.

In Baiser II, the artist transforms a simple gesture—a mother kissing her child—into a quietly sacred moment. The tender pose, the expressive yet understated glances, and the delicate texture of the silk combine to create a serene, almost palpable intimacy. Rarely, the mother is shown three-quarters turned, her face barely visible, embodying a quietly protective presence.

Delicate, luminous, and rich in colour, this work exemplifies Mai Trung Thứ’s lifelong celebration of maternal love, a theme to which he returned throughout his career.