Mother, mom – the beginning of all beginnings,

an inexhaustible source of tenderness,

kindness, understanding, and forgiveness.

Mother – the support of the earth,

with her love of life, mercy, and selflessness,

the human race is created,

strengthened, and multiplied.

(Rasul Gamzatov)

In front of the viewer's eyes appears an almost ceremonial group allegorical family portrait, in which we can unmistakably identify all the roles: the largest, broadest, most “experienced” figure in the painting is undoubtedly the father; the other of the “children,” somewhat proud and seemingly looking directly at the viewer, is obviously the eldest in the family—he feels his responsibility, his duty to help his parents. And there seems to be no doubt that this is the son—he stands so confidently, upright, and you can feel his strong shoulder and support for his brothers and sisters. But the center of the composition is the mother, carefully covered with a sheepskin, around whom the whole family gathers. She is the foundation on which the family stands and the cement that binds the strong family ties.

The warm and restrained color pallete of the canvas supports and enhances the story of the composition—this deep, warm yellow creates a feeling of family comfort, warmth, and harmony in the work.

This work also has a very personal subtext for the artist: it was precisely while painting this canvas in his family was expecting a new member – the birth of a long-awaited daughter.