Slapende vrouw 1844

Charles Jacque made this print, Slapende vrouw, which translates to Sleeping Woman, sometime in the 19th century. Jacque lived through the turbulence of 19th-century France and the rise of Realism in art. The intimate scene captures a woman reclining, seemingly unaware of being observed. It's impossible to ignore the power dynamics at play here. Who is afforded the luxury of rest, and who is relegated to the role of observer? Whose stories are told, and whose remain hidden? Jacque challenges the conventional artistic representations of women at the time, inviting us to reconsider whose gaze is privileged, and who has the authority to define beauty and worth. "Art is not truth," he is quoted as saying. "Art is the lie that makes us realize truth." This artwork encourages a discussion on the gaze, gender, and the stories we tell about ourselves and others. It questions traditional representations and prompts a deeper understanding of societal issues while touching on the intimate and personal dimensions of identity.