Artwork
Young Girl Sleeping
Young Girl Sleeping is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Bernhard Keil. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
Bernhard Keil’s oil painting Young Girl Sleeping, executed in 1655, presents a quiet domestic scene. The work resides in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts and exemplifies the genre‑painting tradition of the mid‑seventeenth century, focusing on everyday life rather than grand historical narratives.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a young child curled in slumber, her head supported by a modest pillow. A woven basket and a red cloth lie nearby, while the disheveled bedding in muted blues and whites frames her form. The serene expression and relaxed posture convey a moment of intimate, unguarded repose.
Technique & Style
Keil employs a restrained chiaroscuro, allowing a soft light to illuminate the girl’s face against a darker backdrop. The contrast enhances the three‑dimensionality of the figure and creates a subtle modeling of flesh. Brushwork is delicate in the rendering of textiles, while the overall palette remains muted, reinforcing the painting’s tranquil mood.
History & Provenance
Created in 1655, the painting reflects Keil’s activity in the Dutch‑influenced artistic circles of the period. It entered the Detroit Institute of Arts’ holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s European genre‑painting collection.
Artist & collection
