‘The Sleeping Lady’
'The Sleeping Lady' - Unknown. 3000 BCE - World History Encyclopedia
In the month of September, or ‘Sleeptember’ we’ll be exploring the themes of sleep. Sleep is a theme explored significantly in art, the way we feel when we sleep, how others depict their sleeping experiences, how others are percieved in such a vulenrable state. It is a way to educate others visually on what sleep means to each individual person.
The earliest known reference to sleep in art is ‘The Sleeping Lady’, created in the Neolithic Period, currently residing in the National Museum in Malta. Archeologists have explored and studied this in great depth. This statuette dates back to 3000 BCE. She sleeps soundly on her side, dressed in, what is observed to be, a traditional woven Neothilic skirt. The sleeping lady, unlike other statues found during the same period, has distinct features, her hair, her body, it is all clearly defined. Including the object on which she sleeps. Whilst she might simply represent a woman soundly asleep in all her glory, many observations have included a representation of eternal sleep, or peace in the afterlife. Reflecting the Neothilic practice of burying the dead in rock-cut tombs for eternity.
Valentine Gode Darel dying in her hospital bed - Ferdinand Hodler, 1914.
The theme of art often emits emotions around vulnerability. Whether this being defencelessness, sadness, or fear, the art of sleep has a vast history of emotion. Ferdinand Hodler created a series of paintings of his dying mistress, his most famous is Valentine Gode Darel in her hospital bed sleeping. The series of paintings, created in 1914, allow us to see the significance his mistresses illness had on him, not only do we find artworks of Darel sleeping in her hospital bed but also her in pain, slowly detoriating in health. Curators of art comment on the fragility that relies on each intentional brushstroke made by Hodler himself, providing an ode to his relationship with Darel. The colours in each painting slowly change to those of greys and browns, showing the change in Darels physical wellbeing. This painting captured my interest because of this, Holders demonstration of the life Darel once lived, and its signficance on him, simply from a pallette at her deathbed. Death, sleep and vulnerability isn’t a theme Hodler shies away from, works such as ‘Night’, and ‘The Dissapointed Souls’ encompass raw human emotion.
‘As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death’ - Leonardo da Vinci
'The Dream' - Pablo Picasso, 1932.
Art has given shelter to all emotions throughout history. Whilst art depicts drama in vulnerability and links with death, it is also a peaceful, and loving slumber that attracts artists to sleep. John Singer Sargent creates a peaceful, joyful image of ‘Two Women Alseep in a Punt Under the Willows’. The delightful green tones and vibrant colours in the painting create a sense of restfulness and contentment. Picasso also depicts sleep in light of its beauty and peace. ‘The Dream’, 1932, shows a woman sleeping soundly as if to depict love and content. She sleeps with a subtle smile on her face and restful arms laid in front of her. Each chosen colour is light, and joyful, creating a sense of peace and satisfaction.
Credits to
Google Arts and Culture - ‘The Sleeping Lady’ https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-sleeping-lady-a-unique-maltese-icon-national-museum-of-archaeology/VAWR7KPNk-UDKw?hl=en
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/667993
https://arthur.io/art/ferdinand-hodler/night
https://www.iris28.art/post/rest-and-unrest-the-sleeping-body-in-visual-art
