[Illustration]: The Mother. Bessie Potter VonnohSource: Art and Progress, Vol. 4, No. 3 (Jan., 1913)Published by:Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20643795 .

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"The Mother" is one of a number of small works in

sculpture by Bessie Potter Vonnoh, which, as has been very truly said, possess a significance quite dis

proportionate to their size. Mrs. Vonnoh's "figurines" and little groups have the bigness of true plastic con

ceptions and at the same time that exquisite refine ment possible only to works of small scale. Because of inherent merit the question of size does not sig nify. These bronzes have a charm and grace pecul

iarly their own. Her young mothers are essentially maternal, her young women delightfully feminine, yet womanty, her children are childish, lovable, sincere. Thus , in her little groups, Mrs. Vonnoh touches upon those human relationships which are elemental, and stirs emotions both deep and profound. Her message is delivered with a lightness of touch and outward

serenity, but it makes universal appeal. Bessie Potter

Vonnoh was born in St. Louis and studied in Chicago under Lorado Taft. The Columbian Exposition oc curred during her student days, and from work done in connection therewith she undoubtedly received both

inspiration and impetus. It has been said that she imitated the figurines of Tanagra, but the fact is that she did not see one of these until long after her own style had been established. Her manner is

entirely her own and is dictated not by any thing she may have seen, but by her own taste, feeling and artistic temperament. To the art of America

Mrs. Vonnoh has made very valuable contribution. | j_;_;__l

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THE MOTHER BESSIE POTTER VONNOH A SMALL BRONZE

AN EXAMPLE OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN SCULPTURE

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