Artwork
Asleep
Asleep is an oil painting by the Naïve art artist Horace Pippin. It dates from 1943 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting's title and its straightforward depiction of a sleeping person invite contemplation of rest as a universal, peaceful state.
Asleep portrays a solitary human figure in repose, the body relaxed and eyes closed, suggesting a moment of deep sleep. The painting's title and its straightforward depiction of a sleeping person invite contemplation of rest as a universal, peaceful state. By focusing on the quiet vulnerability of the figure, Pippin emphasizes the simplicity and intimacy of sleep, allowing the work to function as a meditation on tranquility and the temporary escape from waking concerns.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1943, Asleep is an oil painting by Horace Pippin created on a canvas support. The work measures 22.9 cm in height and 30.5 cm in width. Stylistically, the composition focuses on the depiction of a human figure engaged in sleep, utilizing the artist's characteristic medium of oil paint to render the subject.
History & Provenance
Horace Pippin created the oil painting Asleep in 1943. Executed in oil on canvas, it measures 22.9 cm in height by 30.5 cm in width and depicts a human figure in a state of sleep. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The available documentation does not record an accession number, the circumstances of its commission, its earlier ownership, or any exhibition history.
Overview
Asleep, painted by Horace Pippin in 1943, depicts an intimate interior scene illuminated by the warm glow of a small fire and a single candle. The composition centers on a figure curled in sleep upon a striped blanket, resting their head on a pillow within a dimly lit, rustic room. To the right, a tall, narrow vase with a bulbous top sits on a table, contributing to the room's sparse yet carefully arranged domestic atmosphere.
Executed in oil paint, the work showcases Pippin's distinctive self-taught style, characterized by bold, flat areas of color and simplified forms that emphasize emotional resonance over strict realism. The palette features deep reds and blues, creating a stark contrast between the warmth of the hearth and the cool shadows of the surrounding space. Created during the final years of the artist's life, Asleep reflects Pippin's recurring interest in domestic tranquility and the quiet dignity of everyday existence.
While Pippin is often associated with American Social Realism and the Harlem Renaissance, this work stands as a testament to his unique ability to transform personal observation into universal imagery, capturing a moment of profound stillness and rest.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Horace Pippin was an American painter who painted a range of themes, including scenes inspired by his service in World War I, landscapes, portraits, and biblical subjects.
