Daphne Todd: Last Portrait of Mother
Discussion Questions
What is the first thing you notice about this painting?
What stands out to you about this painting? How does it differ from the previous works? What does it share in common?
How does this image along with "Camille Monet on her deathbed” and “By the Death Bed” relate to your own experiences with death, personally or professionally?
Reflections from #MedHumChat
“This looks colder the the first two. Also, the others evoked feelings of what others or the artist may feel for the subject. This seems like the subject is dragged under the microscope—-all of the pathology laid bare. Cachexia for all to see.”—@jvdoyle
“I keep coming back to [Todd’s] painting. I meet subjects like this literally every week. I have so much respect for this vivid portrayal. Still processing the spectrum of reactions and our role as medical professionals in the experience of dying.”—@PalliDad
“As an oncologist, I consider it to be my calling (and privilege) to share and comfort families at their most intimate and vulnerable times. These images are my reality everyday and not something I fear”—@DevikaDasMD
About this #MedHumChat
“Last Portrait of Mother” was paired with "Camille Monet on her deathbed” by Claude Monet and “By the Death Bed” by Edvard Munch for a #MedHumChat discussion December 18, 2019 exploring Looking upon Death: Art at the Deathbed.
We were honored to be joined by special guest Dr. Margaret Chisolm (@whole_patients), Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at John Hopkins Medicine, who has a special interest in the role of art in medical education.
The pieces for this chat, along with the discussion questions, were selected by Kamna Balhara MD (@KamnaBalharaMD).
About the Artist
Daphne Todd is an English artist known best for her portrait paintings, including “Last Portrait of Mother,” for which she won the National Portrait Gallery's BP Portrait Award in 2010. She was also the first female President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters.