Sleeping Venus

Mediums: oil, canvas.
Location: The Tate Gallery (London, the UK).

The painting was created during the Nazi occupation of Belgium and reflects the fear and anxiety of society in the face of war, possible arrests and even death. The classic plot, which was often used by Renaissance masters, was rethought by the author in his way. To the sleeping and unsuspecting ancient goddess, who is the compositional center of the work, the author added a human skeleton, a mannequin and naked girls, desperately raising their hands to heaven. Calm in his harmonious grandeur, the main character is a striking contrast to the alarming, oppressive atmosphere of the entire canvas.