1905 Junon endormie Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

The composition presents a dreamlike scene rendered in watercolor and pencil on paper. A central figure, seemingly female, reclines horizontally across the lower portion of the frame. Her posture suggests sleep or languor; her head is tilted downwards, partially obscured by what appears to be a floral arrangement – a cluster of red blooms with delicate, stylized foliage.
Above this reclining form, a dense thicket of green and blue foliage dominates the upper left quadrant. Within this verdant space, a figure, presumably male, stands in profile. The rendering is sketchy, almost skeletal, suggesting an apparition or a fleeting presence rather than a fully realized individual. His posture conveys a sense of observation, perhaps even voyeurism, directed towards the sleeping woman below.
The lower right corner is occupied by a peacock, its plumage rendered with vibrant blues and browns. The bird’s eye is prominently displayed, seemingly fixed on the viewer or perhaps on the scene unfolding before it. Its presence introduces an element of exoticism and symbolic richness; peacocks are frequently associated with vanity, beauty, and immortality.
The color palette is restrained yet evocative. The greens and blues evoke a sense of nature and tranquility, while the red blooms introduce a touch of passion or perhaps melancholy. The overall effect is one of muted intensity – a quiet drama played out within a confined space.
Subtly, theres an interplay between concealment and revelation. The sleeping woman’s face is partially hidden, inviting speculation about her identity and inner state. Similarly, the male figure remains indistinct, his purpose ambiguous. This ambiguity contributes to the painting’s dreamlike quality, suggesting that it depicts not a literal scene but rather a psychological landscape – a realm of desires, memories, and unspoken narratives. The peacocks gaze reinforces this sense of observation and hidden meaning, prompting reflection on the nature of perception and representation itself.