Several times throughout her career, Clark revisited the theme of mother and child, and this painting is the final version of the series. It may reflect her fears that her work was no longer relevant, especially as it now lacked the support of her patron J.S. McLean (1876–1954) and former National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, director H.O. McCurry (1889–1964).

Clark’s Mother and Child drawings and paintings are sad and despondent, reflecting her state of mind at the time she painted each version. It seems that she set out to express her inner world through colour and form.