Slapende baby in een wieg 1754 - 1825

"Slapende baby in een wieg" (Sleeping Baby in a Cradle) is a pen and brown ink drawing by Dutch artist Hermanus Numan, created between 1754 and 1825. This delicate work, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicts a baby peacefully asleep in a wicker cradle, its simple composition highlighting the innocence and vulnerability of childhood. Numan's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the realistic depiction of the cradle's woven structure and the soft folds of the baby's blanket. This small-scale drawing, measuring just 149 mm by 126 mm, is a poignant example of Numan's skill in capturing everyday scenes with both technical precision and emotional depth.