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This is very possibly my favourite painting displayed in the National Gallery, which might be considered odd as I am quite vocal about Renoir being my favourite painter and some of his work is displayed (featured in my Favourite Paintings post), but something about this specific painting calls to me.

It feels gentler than a lot of Goyas other works, peaceful and more subtle, intimate, unusual considering his typical MO and mental state. It feels referential to some of his other work, the Majas (Nude and Clothed; paintings of women). A study of a sleeping woman, with his subdued brushwork, invites one to see her breathing, and for to do so along with her. This provides a welcome reprieve from the sometimes overwhelming Gallery.

According to Robert Bohan on Twitter, Irish media described it as pornographic when it was purchased and displayed in 1969, which shows the religious and conservative views of the country at the time. I think this adds interest for me, as it can be used to analyze social history.