The Dream 1955

"The Dream" (1955), by Polish-French artist Balthus, depicts a young woman asleep on a chaise longue in a dreamlike setting. The woman's relaxed pose, the red rose held by a figure standing above her, and the overall ambiguity of the scene contribute to the artwork's dreamlike quality. The painting is known for its meticulous detail and its exploration of themes of desire, innocence, and the subconscious. The work is considered a quintessential example of Balthus's style, characterized by its realist depiction of figures and its unsettling atmosphere. This painting is one of his most famous works, often appearing in art history textbooks.