The Sleeping Gypsy (MoMa)

“The Sleeping Gypsy” is a famous painting by Henri Rousseau (french, 1844-1910). The painter describes his work a”A wandering Negress, a mandolin player, lies with her jar besides her ( a vase with drinking water), overcome by fatigue in a deep sleep. A lion chances to pass by, picks up her scent yet does not devour her. There is a moonlight effect, very poetic.”

This piece of work is really simple at first sight but it carries so much meaning within it, and it gives a lot of emotion because of the little details that are expressed in the painting; the colors, the setting, THE CHARACTERS, and as I said before the little details that one might not has noticed make this a very powerful painting.

I would like to tell a little bit how Gypsies and Lions are viewed in my culture. Since early ages Gypsies are believed to be involved with black magic, and kidnapping babies and children which makes us all very cautious towards them, I remember since I was little my mother told me not to look in their eyes since they also had a power to hypnotize people, meanwhile Lions are brave, strong-spirited animals that no one can mess with.

When I look at the painting I see a gypsy lying down, with an unbothered look on her face. Seems to me like she is in a deep sleep, having beautiful dreams but what’s most she feels safe. She has those little objects with her that make it look like she’s been traveling and stopped by that sea,I think , to rest. She is approached by a lion. His tail is up and tensed, the look on his face is vigilant and heedful. He also seems to be in a state of unknowigness which gives a sensation of alertness.

In my opinion the setting is very beautiful and gives that piece a nice charm  that makes it whole. It looks so dreamy around them like a place I would want to spend a night at, just looking up at the moon and the stars.

I believe that having these two characters in one painting is pretty much epic.