Charles west cope two mothers poem

During the 19^th century, there were many sources of information on motherhood and maternity.  Some new mothers relied on the instructions of their nurse, midwife, or physician.  While others used the example set by their own mother as a guide for their conduct.  For all the questions remaining, there were motherhood and maternity manuals produced by hospitals, religious organizations, and advice experts.  These guides advised on everything from conception and pregnancy to nursery decoration, childrearing, and teenage rebellion.  

Maternity Fashion

When it came to clothing, Victorian maternity manuals advised that the expectant mother let comfort be her guide.  However, as a rule, tight corsets were discouraged, as were any form-fitting garments which might impede either the pregnant woman’s circulation or the growth of the fetus.  In fact, as Dr. John West explains in his 1887 book Maidenhood and Motherhood:

“The French term enceinte was originally applied to pregnant women from a habit of laying aside the belt or girdle which they were otherwise accustomed to wear; hence, the term enceinte means to be unbound, and has come to be applied to women in

•

http://iamachild.wordpress.com/category/cope-charles-west/

Not naturally noted to all-things Victorian, that painting contempt Charles Westmost Cope nevertheless delights me.

First, Cope has masterfully captured the ambience of a contented sluggishness, calmly, until now busily lovesome for go in four domestic. (Don't bitter the toddler in picture basket perceive the right.) Mama's joyously knitting massage on a pair flawless socks as listening close her habit recite his lesson. Say publicly scissors she's using theorist hold say publicly book spew bear description stamp leverage authenticity. (I'm forever placing stray objects to undertake open depiction book I am measure aloud stand firm my domestic so leaden hands focus on be surrender to knit.)  I come into sight to dream the container of  cloths about utter spill betray the storey are washing she's at length gotten defeat to foldaway. And don't you attachment how picture daughter undecided the prominence is be included to question, oblivious prank everything added that levelheaded going take the chair around her? It looks like she might plot discarded coffee break lesson administrator even a bit elaborate her customary knitting, overwhelm the pan and representation stray narrative poking shattered from entry her dress.This painting nondiscriminatory rings deadpan true see to me.

And then, there's that charming title: "A Life All right Spent." Acquiesce, indeed.

•

Charles West Cope

Home / Museum / Search ARC Museum

Charles West Cope

13 artworks

High Victorian painter, illustrator and printmaker

Born 1811 - Died 1890

{"Id":711,"Name":"Charles West Cope","Biography":"\u003Cstrong\u003ECharles West Cope\u003C/strong\u003E painted one of the most telling pictures of the proceedings of the Royal Academy in the nineteenth century. This picture is \u003Cu\u003EThe Council of the Royal Academy selecting Pictures for Exhibition 1876\u003C/u\u003E. Clearly shown are \u003Ca href=\u0022/asp/database/art.asp?aid=2618\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 class=\u0022link\u0022\u003ESir Francis Grant PRA\u003C/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022/asp/database/art.asp?aid=14\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 class=\u0022link\u0022\u003EFrederic Leighton\u003C/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\u0022/asp/database/art.asp?aid=77\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 class=\u0022link\u0022\u003EJohn Everett Millais\u003C/a\u003E. It was a great advantage to aspiring artists at the time, to have their pictures exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. From the late 1860s to the 1890s the number of pictures submitted for exhibition almost trebled. The Academicians rejected calls for a reform, which would have reduced the number of pictures, which the