Joe Russo Painting Appraisal

“Mother and Child” by Joe Russo (1974)

This is an oil painting on canvas titled “Mother and Child” by artist Joe Russo, dated 1974. The painting depicts a Native American woman holding an infant. The woman has dark, long hair styled with two braids, one of which is visible and adorned with a white feather or bone decoration near her shoulder. She is wearing what appears to be traditional or historically inspired brown attire and a necklace or pendant that is partially visible. Her gaze is directed downwards towards the child, suggesting affection and tenderness. The infant, wrapped in a light-colored blanket, holds a string of red, possibly coral or glass, beads, with some beads trailing down. The background of the painting is rendered in an impasto style, with a vibrant and abstract mix of reds, blues, yellows, and browns, creating a rich textural contrast to the more smoothly rendered figures. The overall color palette is earthy with bursts of bright, fragmented colors in the background. The painting is housed in a substantial gold-toned frame with ornate detailing, likely made of wood or resin, which shows some signs of age and patina. The visible quality of the brushwork, particularly in the background, indicates a skilled hand. 'Joe Russo 74' (presumably 'Joe Russo' and the year '1974') is visible as an inscription, likely the artist's signature and date. The piece exhibits a representational style with a modern, abstract twist in the background, characteristic of the mid-20th century.