Sleeping girl by Tamara de Lempicka

Titled “Sleeping girl (Lempicka)”, this painting by Tamara de Lempicka marries softness and tranquility in an intimate and dreamy composition. In line with her female portraits, the artist here explores a more peaceful dimension, where the subject is plunged into deep rest. This work reflects the artist’s mastery in capturing not only the physical appearance of her model, but also an aura of serenity that surrounds her, a contrasting but essential facet of her Art Deco style.

The woman, with curly blonde hair, is depicted asleep, her head resting on her joined hands, creating a pose of total abandonment. The warm light, which seems to emanate from the skin itself, sculpts the volumes of her face and arms, creating soft and velvety shadows. The background, plunged into darkness, highlights the clarity of the complexion and the peace of the face, accentuating the tranquility of the scene. The precision of the drawing, especially in the hands and the drape, testifies to a rigorous and refined execution.

Tamara de Lempicka’s hand is recognizable in the treatment of light, which gives an almost palpable texture to the skin. Her technique, made of superimposed glazes, gives depth and softness to the image, while the rendering of the curly hair shows her ability to vary textures with great dexterity. It is a work that demonstrates the artist’s sensitivity behind her usual rigor.