“The Sleeping Venus,” a mythological painting by Giorgione, was created between 1508 and 1510. Rendered in oil on canvas, the artwork belongs to the High Renaissance movement and measures 108.5 x 175 cm. It is presently housed in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden, Germany.
The artwork masterfully depicts the goddess Venus in a serene, reclined pose, seemingly asleep. Her nude figure lies gracefully upon a white drapery that contrasts with the dark red cushion supporting her head. Her peaceful expression and relaxed posture exude a sense of tranquility. The background reveals a gentle landscape with rolling hills, distant mountains, and scattered trees, harmonizing with the serene mood of the scene. The use of soft, diffused light highlights the subtle gradation of colors and the delicate rendering of the goddess’s form, emphasizing Giorgione’s exquisite craftsmanship characteristic of the High Renaissance period.
