Who painted Schlafendes, nacktes Kind?

Schlafendes, nacktes Kind was painted by Carlo Maratta in 1669.

Where can I see Schlafendes, nacktes Kind?

Schlafendes, nacktes Kind is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Schlafendes, nacktes Kind?

Schlafendes, nacktes Kind is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Schlafendes, nacktes Kind

Carlo Maratta , 1669

Schlafendes, nacktes Kind is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Carlo Maratta. It dates from 1669 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1669, *Schlafendes, nacktes Kind* is an oil painting by the Roman Baroque artist Carlo Maratta. The work presents a solitary infant, nude and asleep, set against a darkened backdrop that isolates the figure. It exemplifies Maratta’s early output before his later classicizing phase, and today belongs to the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on a reclining baby whose head is tipped back and arms are lifted above the torso. The child’s tranquil expression and relaxed posture convey a sense of innocence and vulnerability, inviting contemplation of the purity of youth. No narrative elements accompany the figure, allowing the viewer to engage directly with the serene moment.

Technique & Style

Maratta employs a subtle chiaroscuro, using deep shadows to model the infant’s rounded form while a soft light caresses the creamy skin. The brushwork is smooth and refined, rendering flesh with a delicate translucency that emphasizes volume. The contrast between the luminous body and the tenebrous background creates a three‑dimensional presence characteristic of early Baroque sensibilities.

History & Provenance

The painting was produced while Maratta was active in Rome, working for high‑profile patrons including members of the papal court. After changing hands over the centuries, it entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s Baroque collection, illustrating the artist’s formative period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Carlo Maratta

Carlo Maratta or Maratti (18 May 1625 – 15 December 1713) was an Italian Baroque painter and draughtsman, active principally in Rome where he was the leading painter in the second half of the 17th century.