The artwork entitled “Mette asleep on a sofa” was created by the artist Paul Gauguin in the year 1875, in Paris, France. This particular work was executed using the oil on canvas medium and falls under the impressionism movement. The piece measures 24.5 x 32.5 cm and is considered a genre painting. Presently, this artwork belongs to a private collection.
In more detail, the artwork depicts a scene of tranquility and intimacy, capturing a woman in a state of repose on a cosy-looking sofa. The figure, identified as Mette, lies with her head resting on a dark cushion, her body enveloped in a flowing white dress that contrasts with the muted and darker backdrop of the room. The candid nature of the scene suggests a moment captured without contrivance, an everyday occurrence immortalized through Gauguin’s impressionistic lens. The brushstrokes provide texture and dynamism to the white garment, giving the fabric a tangible sense of weight and form. There is a careful balance between light and shadow in the composition, evoking a quiet mood that invites the viewer into a peaceful, almost voyeuristic observation of the scene. A sense of depth and perspective is subtly suggested by the darker tones receding into the background and the lighter, more attention-grabbing tones of the resting figure and her dress in the foreground.
