In the 18th century, philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote about the importance of ‘the good mother’. If women spent all their time bearing, suckling and caring for children, society’s morals would improve, he thought. His ideas had an effect on Western society – and the visual arts – for a long time. Charley Toorop, for  instance, who chose to be artist as well as a mother, was strongly criticised for this. In these two paintings, we see two visions of motherhood. In Portrait of Mrs D. van Ravesteyn, the mother is in the background, behind her children, whereas in Self-portrait with three children, Toorop depicts herself as the feisty head of the family, her brush at the ready. [text 2025]