Sleeper Awakened by a Young Woman with Fire, Nicolas Régnier, early 1620s

A comedy is played for the viewer as if it were a tableau vivant. Modeled after living models posed in the dim light of the artist's studio, the figures exude a strong physical and emotional presence. A mercenary has dozed off during a game of cards, after a night of debauchery in a roman inn, and a saucy young prostitute is getting ready to play a trick on him. A fierce light illuminates the two figures and gives rise to a play of shadows that enhances the drama. The story is told through a pantomime that reflects the comedian's rich repertoire. The man will soon learn a lesson - he will burn himself on the lit roll of tobacco paper that the woman brings up under his nose, an act with a strong erotic charge. With a clear gesture that calls for silence, the prankster invites us to make fun of the unsuspecting youth. The characters from the folk theater and the popular picaresque novels were familiar to contemporary viewers. As images of intemperance and foolishness, mercenaries were often portrayed in similarly dubious situations. Roughly caricatured characters and a straightforward plot were considered appropriate for such genre scenes where the lower classes of society are portrayed in humorous situations with moralizing undertones. We are amazed by the deceptively realistic surface of the painting with its illusionistically reproduced details such as the torn playing card and the candlestick's remains of burned-out wax candles. New acquisition of the month, november 2011 sleeping youth awakened by young woman with fire, by nicolas régnier nicolas régnier was a flemish artist who lived around 1591–1667. During his time as an artist, he was mainly active in rome and venice in italy. His art has therefore come to be regarded as italian rather than flemish. In italy, régnier came into contact with the tradition of the great artist caravaggio. This painting is characterized by emotional play enhanced by powerful light effects and deep colors. The painting sleeping youth awakened by young woman with fire was painted during régnier's roman period. It is part of a suite of three works with the same theme. The painting is considered one of régnier's greatest works, filled with exquisite details such as the torn cards, the wax that has run down the candlestick and the shadow from the young man's eyelashes. The young woman depicted in the painting invites the viewer to share in the prank the sleeping man is subjected to. Régnier's painting is a gift to the national museum from the association nationalmusei vänner. In connection with the association's 100-year celebration in 2011, a commemorative collection was started. The gift was presented to the national museum during the final evening of the celebration at the end of november 2011. The painting complements the museum's collection of 17th century italian paintings. [1]. Object Type: painting. Date: early 1620s. Dimensions: height: 97 cm (38.1 in); width: 131 cm (51.5 in). Medium: oil on canvas. Collection: Nationalmuseum. Nicolas Régnier, Fortune Telling Scene, oil on canvas, 97 x 131 cm