Artwork
The sleepy model
The sleepy model is an oil painting by Ruth Hollingsworth. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1922, *The Sleepy Model* is an oil painting by British artist Ruth Hollingsworth, known for her work in landscape, figure, and floral subjects. The canvas is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, where it is displayed among other early‑20th‑century works.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts three young children perched on a windowsill. The figure on the left is dressed in a blue gown and hat, the central child lies asleep in a pink dress, and the rightmost child wears a blue dress accented with a red collar. The muted lighting suggests an intimate, domestic moment captured in quiet repose.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs a restrained palette of subdued hues. Visible brushwork creates a tactile surface, lending the scene a subtle sense of depth. The illumination appears to originate from the left, casting soft shadows that enhance the three‑dimensionality of the figures against a darker background.
History & Provenance
After its creation, the work entered the collection of Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum. The acquisition reflects the institution’s interest in representing early twentieth‑century British painting, and the piece remains a documented example of Hollingsworth’s figurative output.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ruth Hollingsworth (29 August 1880 – 14 March 1945) was a British artist known for her landscapes, figure and flower paintings.
Museum
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
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