The two-figure relief is located in a niche above the entrance to the apartment building at 6 Bernolákova Street. The niche forms part of the stone entrance portal, and is bordered at each side by its posts. The realistic depiction of figures in the horizontally composed scene of a mother with her child represents a typical artistic expression of the 1950s. Placement of works of art above entrances to buildings is typical of the early period of socialist realism. These artefacts also served as house signs, helping people to navigate around the urban environment.
Carved in half profile on a neutral background, a young woman holding a child is shown reclining with legs slightly bent at the knees and leaning on her left arm. She is wearing a simple dress that extends below her knees. Carved in profile to the right of the scene, her face, framed by short hair, gazes fixedly into the distance. Her baby lies face down on her chest, holding his mother’s shoulders and looking at her.
The depiction of motherhood in various forms was one of the main themes of socialist realism art, particularly in connection with architecture (e.g. Motherhood by František Draškovič on the façade of 13 Hollého Street in Bratislava's Old Town). The work shares many common features with the 1956 relief Mother with Child by Jozef Kostka, both in its depiction and compositional concept. Kostka’s relief is set on the façade of the apartment building at 1 Dohnányho Street in Bratislava.
These characteristics could facilitate further research into the identity of the artist.
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Research status as of 15. 11. 2023.