Slapende man omringd door figuren 1702 - 1817

This engraving by an anonymous artist depicts a sleeping man surrounded by a crowd of figures, seemingly mocking or reveling around him. This image is a tableau of human folly, centered on the motif of sleep. Sleep is a complex symbol; it’s a state of vulnerability but also of dreams and subconscious desires. Think of ancient Greek art, where Sleep, or Hypnos, is a gentle god, often winged, who brings rest. Here, however, sleep is not peaceful. The garland of leaves worn by the sleeping man suggests revelry, perhaps intoxication. His slumber is not a retreat but an exposure, inviting the derision of the crowd. The theatrical gestures of the surrounding figures evoke the Commedia dell'Arte, a tradition filled with archetypes of human behavior. The artist captures a timeless scene, where the fallible human condition is laid bare. The image is a stark reminder that symbols evolve, their meanings shaped and reshaped by the ever-changing currents of human experience.