“Sleeping Nude,” created by Balthus in 1980, is a work of Expressionism and falls within the genre of nude painting (nu). The artwork exhibits the artist’s distinctive style, meticulously capturing a serene and intimate scene.
The artwork depicts a nude female figure resting on a bench, draped slightly by a cloth and leaning against a geometrically patterned cushion. Her head is tilted and supported on the back of the bench, suggesting a peaceful slumber. The scene is set within an interior space, with a window partially covered by curtains to the left and a small table adorned with flowers to the right. The floor is detailed with a bold checkered pattern, adding depth and contrast to the composition. The soft, muted color palette combined with the geometric shapes and intimate setting emphasizes the tranquillity and introspective nature of the subject, aligning with the principles of Expressionism to evoke emotional resonance.
