Slapende nimf 1793 - 1838

Angelo Bertini created this print titled 'Slapende nimf' or 'Sleeping Nymph' sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. Consider the fascination with classical antiquity that shaped European art during this period. Bertini was part of a cultural movement that looked back to ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. Neoclassical artists often sought to revive what they perceived as the purity and harmony of these past civilizations. But what does it mean to revive the past? This print, with its idealized nude figure, embodies this desire. Note the figure's serene and sensual pose. How does the artist use line and shadow to create a sense of depth and volume? 'Slapende nimf' captures a moment of tranquil repose. Yet, it also subtly reveals the power dynamics inherent in the act of looking, and how the female form has historically been presented for male consumption. In our contemporary moment, it invites us to consider how representations of the female body have evolved - or remained static - over time.