Slapend meisje 1867 - 1913

This etching, "Slapend Meisje", was created by Philip Zilcken. The girl’s slumber transcends mere rest; it is a symbol laden with cultural and psychological weight. Sleep, a universal human experience, here invokes centuries of artistic and literary portrayals. The motif of the sleeping figure echoes through time. Think of Sleeping Ariadne from antiquity or even the many paintings of sleeping Venus – all figures lost in their private worlds. There is also a strong connection to the many depictions of Mary Magdalene. Her bowed head and closed eyes, a gesture that speaks to a deeper introspection or resignation is very similar to those classical depictions. This gesture isn’t merely a depiction of sleep but an invitation to contemplation. It is a symbol that recurs throughout history, each time imbued with new layers of meaning while retaining its primal connection to the subconscious and collective memory.