Mia madre che lavora [My Mother Working]

Mia madre che lavora [My Mother Working] is a significant early print created by Umberto Boccioni in 1907. This sensitive work, classified as a print, was executed using the demanding drypoint technique, resulting in a rich image printed entirely in black ink on wove paper. Boccioni captures an intimate, domestic scene likely depicting his own mother, Cecilia Forlani, a frequent and foundational subject for the Italian artist during this foundational period of his career.

The use of drypoint, which involves scratching directly into the copper plate, creates a characteristic burr that holds extra ink. When printed, this technique results in soft, velvety lines and deep shadows that emphasize the texture and atmosphere surrounding the subject’s labor. The composition is focused and strong, utilizing stark contrasts between light and shadow to heighten the psychological intensity of the moment.

Created during the period 1901 to 1925, this work firmly belongs to Boccioni’s pre-Futurist phase. Just a few years before he would famously abandon such naturalistic depictions for radical explorations of dynamism and speed, this 1907 print reveals the immense foundational skills and atmospheric rendering that defined his early output. Boccioni’s decision to focus on the working figure and the simple lines of the composition reflects a dedication to documenting everyday life and the quiet dignity of his subjects, themes he would later transpose into abstraction.

As one of the preeminent figures of modern Italian art, Boccioni’s early works, especially his rare prints, offer crucial insight into his rapid artistic development toward Futurism. The technical mastery exhibited in Mia madre che lavora confirms his early proficiency in the graphic arts. This unique print, illustrating a transitional moment in the career of one of Italy’s most influential artists, is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art.