The artwork entitled “Le sommeil d’après Courbet,” created by Bernard Buffet in 1955, is a piece affiliated with the Expressionist movement and belongs to the genre of nude painting (nu). This artwork presents a depiction of two reclining figures, captured in an intimate and serene moment. The figures, unclothed, are depicted in a state of repose, lying closely entwined on what appears to be a bed, draped with sheets in disarray.
The artist uses a restrained color palette dominated by muted tones, which imparts a somber and introspective mood to the scene. The figures themselves are rendered with stark, bold lines characteristic of Buffet’s style, emphasizing their forms and contours. Their expressions and postures convey a sense of tranquility and vulnerability. The background features a patterned wallpaper, adding texture to the setting, alongside a vase with flowers and a nightstand bearing a carafe and glass, suggesting a domestic environment. This meticulous attention to detail creates a layered composition that invites viewers into a contemplative space, highlighting the intimate and delicate nature of the human condition expressed through the lens of Expressionism.
