An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Nursing Woman with Child1800s-1900s
Beyond its specific depiction of a mother nursing her child, this sculpture symbolizes a larger concept of ancestral motherhood that is central to Senufo society, in which cultural inheritance is matrilineal. The darkened areas of wood come from oils applied to its surface as both libations and surface protectants. In some Senufo beliefs, one of the most important founding ancestors is the Great Mother or Ancient Woman (Katyeleeo or Maleeo). In groups that believe in the Great Mother, she suckles male initiates with the "milk of knowledge." Through this process, youths gain the information they need to become adults (that is, fully human). The simplified appearance of the "child" in this sculpture reflects his unformed, pre-initiated state.
The mother’s face, adorned with incisions and markings, resembles that of women who have reached puberty.
Wood and organic material
Overall: 63.6 cm (25 1/16 in.)
James Albert and Mary Gardiner Ford Memorial Fund
In the dim glow of a softly lit gallery, a striking sculpture draws one’s gaze: a mother, tenderly cradling her child to her breast. It may appear simple at first, but the deeper story unfurls like a delicate flower. This artwork resonates powerfully within the realm of Senufo society in West Africa, where the chains of cultural inheritance are woven through the threads of matrilineage.
As you lean closer, the rich, dark wood offers a tactile warmth, an echo of the oils that have been lovingly applied over time. These oils serve a dual purpose: both as offerings—a reverent libation—and as protective guardians for the surface, preserving the wisdom embedded within the wood. Each sheen and shadow on the sculpture tells of countless rituals, a history kept alive by hands that honor the past.
Within this narrative lies one of the Senufo people's most cherished beliefs: the reverence for a foundational ancestor known as the Great Mother, or the Ancient Woman, known by names such as Katyeleeo or Maleeo. In a society that upholds the great cycles of life, she is seen as the ultimate nurturer, bestowing not just life but knowledge. Imagine the stirring visual of the Great Mother, suckling young male initiates with what the Senufo call the "milk of knowledge." It is through this process that these boys imbibe the wisdom required to shed their childhood skins and emerge as fully-fledged adults, ready to claim their place in the tapestry of humanity.
A closer examination of the child in this sculpture reveals a striking simplicity, an intentional portrayal of his unformed, pre-initiated state. He remains a symbol of potential, a future yet to be sculpted by the teachings bestowed upon him. In this moment captured in wood, we see far beyond a mother and child. We witness the essence of a culture deeply rooted in ancestral connections, the profound legacy of womanhood, and the transformative journey from innocence to maturity. Here, in this intimate portrayal, the story of generations converges, beckoning viewers to reflect on their own ties to ancestry, knowledge, and the nurturing spirit that binds us all.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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