SLEEPING NYMPH

Historical and artistic context

“The Sleeping Nymph” by Eugène Dufossez embodies, with exquisite delicacy, the surrender and grace of a mythological figure immersed in peaceful sleep. Carved from pure white Carrara marble, this sculpture—striking in its naturalism—testifies to the artist’s exceptional ability to render the softness of the human form through stone.

The composition depicts a young woman, a nymph, reclining in perfect harmony with the rocky base upon which she rests. Her posture evokes deep slumber: both arms are folded beneath her head, her face nestled in the curve of her right arm, enhancing the impression of intimacy and introspective withdrawal.

The figure possesses an almost tangible presence. The marble skin appears supple and alive, in stark contrast to the rough-hewn base that evokes the rawness of natural stone into which the nymph seems to gently dissolve. The sculptor masterfully plays with textures to heighten the expressive power of the work: the stone is polished to a near-translucent smoothness to simulate the delicacy of flesh, while the hair, rendered with a softer and more diffuse effect, adds to the sense of weightlessness. In contrast, the base remains rugged, creating a dialogue between mineral harshness and feminine refinement.