Aaron Gilbert (American, born 1979). <em>The New One</em>, 2007. Oil on canvas, 38 x 43 x 2 1/4 in. (96.5 x 109.2 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York; Hassam, Speicher, Betts and Symons Funds, 2010, 2010.68. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2010.68_PS20.jpg)

Aaron Gilbert (American, born 1979). The New One, 2007. Oil on canvas, 38 x 43 x 2 1/4 in. (96.5 x 109.2 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York; Hassam, Speicher, Betts and Symons Funds, 2010, 2010.68. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2010.68_PS20.jpg)

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Can you tell me about this?

In this work, Aaron Gilbert was inspired by the birth of his own son. The woman is modeled on his wife, the photographer Deana Lawson. The baby is puzzling! It's hard to know whether it's a male or female child, and his head looks almost like an adult's. The artist may just want us to think about cycles of life and age.

What is this painting supposed to symbolize? The child appears to be an oddly shaped figure, and it looks like there is no movement in its limbs.

The artist, Aaron Gilbert, draws on Surrealist ideas in art by picturing a figure (in the tub) that appears like a child and an adult at the same time.

Gilbert has said of "The New One": "As a woman or man nears parenthood, there is a fear of being consumed by the role they are about to take on. One is also confronted with many of the issues that existed between them and their parent(s)."

The artist was inspired by the birth of his own son. The woman is modeled on his wife. The baby is puzzling! It's hard to know whether it's a male or female child, and his head looks almost like an adult's. The artist may just want us to think about cycles of life and age.

I don't understand this. Why are there curtains, a watch, and why does the figure in the tub look like he is neutered? Also, why is his skin lighter than the other figure?

The curtain is a shower curtain. The watch may represent the passing of time and how quickly children grow.

The models for these figures were Aaron Gilbert's (the artist's) wife and son. He said, "The presence of interracial mixing in my paintings reflects my fixation on the reality that my life is not an anomaly, but the repetition of cycles that have been ongoing throughout the extended history of my family and of humanity as a whole. My interest is in reflecting life as it is…infinitely nuanced and always influenced in complex ways by external social pressures and forces."

He draws on Surrealist techniques in art by picturing a figure (in the tub) that appears like a child and an adult at the same time.

The artist was inspired by the birth of his own son.

This painting is haunting and also slightly off putting. Can you tell us more about the artist's intent?

There's definitely something surreal about this scene -- it isn't meant to look "real." Instead, the artist is thinking about emotional bonds and complex interactions between individuals. He has often spoken about the fear that comes with new parenthood -- taking on a new role in life. His wife modeled for the female figure; he has included her, and himself, in many of his works. We have this wonderful quote from the artist: "This painting portrays birth as a moment where one is pulled from one form of existence into another. I was thinking about the day when my son came home from the hospital, and the complex nature of these first interactions, the powerful and strange dynamic with this new human - both intimate and completely foreign."

What is happening here?

We know that Aaron Gilbert was inspired by the birth of his own son, and that the woman is modeled on his wife. Perhaps the artist may want us to think about cycles of life and age. Other people find this painting very enigmatic and intriguing. What do you think of it?

I think it's a woman giving her kid a bath.

That's definitely a solid reading of it! As a contemporary work of art, it is absolutely up to interpretation.

What is this about?

That's a really mysterious-looking work, isn't it? Aaron Gilbert's wife modeled for the figure of the woman.

Gilbert's art often depicts moments of emotional and psychological tension between individuals. He has said that this painting was inspired by the birth of their son, and by the fear that comes with the new role of being a parent.

Sometimes people tell us that they think the baby looks like an alien from outer space! I guess we're all like aliens when we're born, though -- arriving in a new world.

I've never seen anything like this - it's very haunting.

I agree! The artist's style is often deliberately awkward, and he seems to have a Surrealist sensibility sometimes.

We have a good quote from the artist about this work, "I was thinking about the day when my son came home from the hospital, and the complex nature of these first interactions, the powerful and strange dynamic with this new human -- both intimate and completely foreign."

He has also mentioned the fear that is part of being a new parent. His wife posed for this painting, in fact, he often uses his family members as models.

He's not afraid to tackle big themes, that's for sure!

What is going on here?

That is such an intriguing painting, isn't it? It comes out of Aaron Gilbert's (the artist) own life and thoughts about becoming a parent although it looks a little surreal. His wife (also an artist) modeled for the figure of the woman. The artist painted this after the birth of their son.

The baby is puzzling, it's hard to know whether it's a male or female child, and his/her head looks almost like an adult's. The artist may want us to think about cycles of life and age.

So cool! Thank you. Who is the artist?

Hmmm, what's the story behind this one?

The artist made this as a portrait of his wife and their newborn, it's purposely disproportionate.

Regarding the colors, I love the balance the green soap adds. Also, the light touch of he mother's hand on the chin.

I love your attention to detail! There's such a delicateness to this work, the transparent shower curtain, the fine ripples on the water, even her t-shirt seems soft. It makes this moment feel so tender. I'm not a parent yet but I can imagine the first days of having your first newborn at home, and how tender and delicate those moments must be.

Also, the watch on the edge of the tub. It adds to that surrealist touch too. It almost seems like a mother fighting postpartum depression.

Wow, I never noticed the watch before. I see what you mean. Her expression isn't on her child, it's kind of glazed.

The internal and physical struggles of being a woman. Must be something on my mind.

The New One

Aaron Gilbert

Contemporary Art

Aaron Gilbert imbues this scene of a mother and child at bath time with a tender and peculiar intimacy. Through the spare setting, play of bodily proportions, and shallow pictorial space, the artist explores the complex psychology of family life. The image centers around the simple gesture of the mother lifting the child’s chin above the surface of the water, a sign of the bonds built during quiet moments of care and affection.

ARTIST Aaron Gilbert, American, born 1979

MEDIUM Oil on canvas

DATES 2007

DIMENSIONS 38 x 43 x 2 1/4 in. (96.5 x 109.2 x 5.7 cm) frame (vitrine): 42 × 47 × 6 in. (106.7 × 119.4 × 15.2 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Contemporary Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2010.68

CREDIT LINE Gift of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York; Hassam, Speicher, Betts and Symons Funds, 2010

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Aaron Gilbert (American, born 1979). The New One, 2007. Oil on canvas, 38 x 43 x 2 1/4 in. (96.5 x 109.2 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York; Hassam, Speicher, Betts and Symons Funds, 2010, 2010.68. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2010.68_PS20.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 2010.68_PS20.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2023

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RIGHTS STATEMENT © Aaron Gilbert

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