Sleep c. 1937

Frederick Olmsted Jr.’s etching, aptly titled 'Sleep,' invites us into the labyrinthine world of dreams, crafted with lines that seem to float between representation and abstraction. The dominant motif is the serpentine form, a recurring symbol that twists through the annals of art history, from the caduceus of Hermes, representing healing and medicine, to the ouroboros, the snake eating its own tail, embodying cyclical time and eternal return. This twisting form, suggestive of flowing water or perhaps the very currents of thought, reappears in ancient Minoan art and even in the swirling patterns of Art Nouveau. It whispers of primal energies and the subconscious depths explored by Freud. Observe how the image, with its fluid lines and ambiguous shapes, evokes the disorienting, yet compelling state of slumber. As the serpent has shed its skin across millennia, evolving from a symbol of chaos to one of wisdom, this very artwork engages us on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us that even in our most vulnerable state, the echoes of our collective past resonate. It presents the emotional journey of sleep as a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep level.