Decorative arts

The Nursing Mother

1 of 3

Type: Decorative arts(Opens in new tab)
Date: ca. 1774
Accession number: 2010.6.23
Maker: Josse-François-Joseph Le Riche(Opens in new tab) (French, 1738–1812)
After: Louis-Simon Boizot(Opens in new tab) (French, 1743–1809)
Manufacturer: Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory(Opens in new tab) (French, born 1756)
Dimensions: 8 x 7 1/2 x 6 1/4 in. (20.3 x 19.1 x 15.9 cm.)
Medium: biscuit soft-paste porcelain
Description: This sculptural group portrays a mother suckling her baby and taking care of another child, while the baby's nursemaid stands next to her holding a cradle.
Credit: The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Gift of MaryLou Boone
Department: European Art
Find out more: View in the Art Museum catalog(Opens in new tab)

Label text

Wet-nursing, the practice of breast-feeding and caring for another’s child, was widespread in 18th-century France, for the working classes as well as the wealthy. However, towards the end of the century, theorists such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau idealized the natural role of a mother breast-feeding her own child. These changing attitudes are illustrated in this group.

The Nursing Mother

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