Sweet Dreams 

Firmin Baes created "Sweet Dreams," a tender image rendered with soft, muted tones. Notice how the composition centres on the intimate embrace between mother and child, forming a pyramidal structure that stabilizes the scene. The gentle curve of the mother's head mirrors the infant's form, creating a visual echo that amplifies the emotional connection. Baes uses light to sculpt the forms, with subtle gradations defining the contours of their faces and bodies. The colour palette is restrained, predominantly consisting of earthy pinks, blues, and creams, which enhances the quiet, serene mood. This work engages with the concept of idealized motherhood. Yet, it also challenges fixed notions of sentimentality through its formal structure. Baes employs classical compositional techniques to elevate a common, everyday moment into something timeless and universal. Look at the slight blurring of details, a technique that softens the image. This formal quality allows the artwork to function not just as a depiction, but as an exploration of form, light, and the complex interplay of emotion and representation.