Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

Henri Rousseau's "The Sleeping Gypsy," or "La Bohémienne endormie," is a surreal and mesmerizing painting that captures a deeply tranquil, yet haunting, nocturnal scene. The canvas measures approximately 51.0 cm by 79.0 cm (20 inches by 31 inches). Set against the backdrop of an exotic and barren desert landscape, the painting depicts a solitary, sleeping female figure dressed in a long, striped, multicolored robe. She lies on the ground with her head resting on a small pillow and a partially buried jug next to her.

The woman, often interpreted as a gypsy, is absorbed in an unbroken slumber while the moon, casting an ethereal light, illuminates the entire scene with an otherworldly glow. The twinkling stars punctuate the night sky, lending the scene a mystical quality.

A lion, seemingly curiously yet gently, approaches the sleeping figure. The lion's expression, more curious than predatory, adds to the painting's dreamlike and enchanting atmosphere. The lion stands with a calm demeanor, almost as if guarding the sleeping gypsy. Rousseau uses stark contrasts of cool and warm tones, with the softness of the woman’s robe contrasting against the lion’s textured mane and the rough desert sands. The juxtaposition of the human figure in a vulnerable state alongside the wild animal creates a tension and tranquility simultaneously.

The original painting of "The Sleeping Gypsy" is housed in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.

Henri Rousseau, also known as "Le Douanier" (The Customs Officer), was a self-taught French painter who is often associated with the Post-Impressionist movement. His work is characterized by its vivid colors and dreamlike quality, drawing heavily on a naive, almost primitive, style. Despite his lack of formal training, Rousseau's unique visions and meticulous attention to surrealistic detail have earned him a lasting legacy in the art world.

"The Sleeping Gypsy" fits into Rousseau's broader oeuvre as a prime example of his fascination with exotic and fantastical themes. Rousseau often depicted imaginary, dreamlike jungles and exotic animals, creating an air of mystery and childlike wonder. This painting stands as one of Rousseau's most recognizable works and showcases his ability to blend reality with fantasy seamlessly.

Despite initial skepticism and lack of recognition from the art establishment, Rousseau's work later gained admiration from avant-garde artists, including Pablo Picasso and the Surrealists, who appreciated his innovative approach and visionary style. "The Sleeping Gypsy" is particularly noteworthy for its serene yet mysterious ambiance, illustrating Rousseau’s distinctive ability to evoke emotion and curiosity through simple, yet evocative, compositions.

- The lack of proportional accuracy and perspective in "The Sleeping Gypsy" is deliberate, giving the painting a flat, almost childlike quality.
- The painting embodies Rousseau’s signature style of precise outlines, rich uniform color, and a meticulous attention to detail, especially in the careful rendering of textile patterns and the lion’s fur.
- The juxtaposition of the serene gypsy and the watchful lion has been interpreted in various ways, from a metaphor for peaceful coexistence to an exploration of the boundary between dreams and reality.
- "The Sleeping Gypsy" highlights the peculiar charm and enduring power of Rousseau's imagination, capturing a timeless, dreamlike vision that continues to captivate viewers to this day.

Henri Rousseau’s "The Sleeping Gypsy" is a captivating masterpiece that harmoniously fuses innocence, fantasy, and the enigmatic quality of dreams. This work underscores his inventive spirit and his significant contribution to modern art, standing as a testament to the power of imagination in transcending the limitations of formal artistic training.