Archetyping the Mother: Mātramūrtis—Woman and Child Imagery in Early Indian Art

The article traces the development of mother and child imagery from prehistoric figurines symbolising nurturing motherhood to distinct representations: The divine mother (worshipped as goddesses, such as Mātṛkās) and mātrimūrti, which forms the primary focus of the article. The latter embody ideals of care, play, emotional connection and beauty. Artworks from Mathurā, Sāṅghol and later periods, broadly termed mātrimūrtis, were seen in the context of architectural motifs such as yakṣīs and ālasā kanyās. Here, the emphasis extends beyond the voluptuous and sensuous appeal of yakṣīs to the gendered role of motherhood, highlighting the affectionate bond between woman and child, which differs from depictions of goddess figures by omitting symbols of divinity. The analysis suggests that these images reflect both the emotional and social aspects of the mother–child relationship, serving as recurring motifs in art that convey religious and social values, while also representing themes of procreation, childcare, power and idealised motherhood.