“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.