Sleep II 

Valeria Duca created 'Sleep II' using oil paints, a medium as traditional as the subject of slumber. The inherent qualities of oil paint are crucial to its message. Notice the blending and layering that gives the surfaces depth. Consider how Duca’s hand moved across the canvas, building up tones to create a palpable sense of weariness. This process of layering and blending reflects the physical act of painting and the artist's labor, but also the physical exertion that leads to the need for sleep. The medium, oil paint, with its slow drying time, allows for a high degree of control. This enables the artist to create subtle gradations of light and shadow, lending the scene a profound intimacy. Ultimately, this artwork reminds us that material choices and the labor of creation can imbue even the most mundane scenes with deep social and emotional significance.