Artwork
Nukkuva bakkantti, kopio Fragonardin mukaan
Nukkuva bakkantti, kopio Fragonardin mukaan is an unspecified painting by Werner von Hausen. It is held in the collection of the Finnish National Gallery.
About this work
Overview
The work depicts a nude female figure reclined on a rocky ledge, her body illuminated by a gentle light that accentuates the smoothness of her skin. She rests on one arm, her head tilted back in a relaxed pose, while a dark, night‑like sky with faintly glowing clouds forms the backdrop. Near her feet a basket and assorted objects lie scattered on the ground.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the solitary woman, whose languid posture and serene expression suggest a moment of private repose. The inclusion of everyday items such as the basket may hint at a narrative of travel or domesticity, yet the emphasis remains on the study of the human form in a contemplative, almost timeless setting.
Technique & Style
The painting employs a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, contrasting the luminous flesh against the deep, shadowy background. This handling of light creates a three‑dimensional quality, rendering the figure’s contours with soft gradations while the surrounding darkness recedes, thereby focusing the viewer’s attention on the central nude.
Context
Although the piece is presented as a copy after Fragonard, its stylistic choices echo the 18th‑century French tradition of eroticized nudes set within dramatic lighting schemes. The work reflects the period’s fascination with sensuality combined with the technical exploration of light and shadow that characterized academic painting of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Werner von Hausen made copies so exact they fooled experts, but his metal reliefs tell a different story.
The Erinyes Drive Alcmaeon from the Corpse of his Mother, Eriphyle, Whom He Has Killed.
Andromeda
Mary Magdalene
Die Sünde, vom Tode verfolgt
Study for The Deluge
Portrait of Anna Lampel, actress
The Ring
The actress Kitty Fisher as Danae
Sleeping Nymph
Dido on the Pyre
The Greek Poet Sappho and the Girl from Mytilene
The Greek Poet Sappho and the Girl from Mytilene