Fragmentary Figurine of a Mother Goddess Holding a Child, 650 BC-550 BC, molded terracotta, Bowdoin College Museum of Art.
At a time where childbirth imposed immense risk to a mother’s health and survival, a successful birth became a blessing to a family in ancient Europe. In looking at early sculptures depicting these ancient miracles, themes of peace and gratitude radiate from the maternal figures. Inaugurating our chronology of the evolution of pregnancy and maternal art, Fragmentary Figurine of a Mother Goddess Holding a Child offers a starting point beset by ambiguity.
A woman cradles her child with apparent care and protection. This posture, combined with the gentle lines and simple terracotta medium, indicates a moment of softness. In a time without modern medicine, we imagine the baby as fragile and in need of immense care. Acknowledging both the risk of pregnancy and subsequent maternal duties reiterates the strength and courage of ancient European women. Through the closing of eyes and tilting the head upward, the artist conveys relief and maybe even spiritual appreciation. Differing from the other early pieces included in our exhibit, this Figurine displays motherhood in a simplistic, honest form. This leads us to question why the people of 550 BC took on this seemingly novel point of view.