Depictions of Hypnos (an analysis??)
I’ve come to notice some commonalities in the way Hypnos had been depicted in art, compared to writing. Here’s my observations.
Always a young man, sometimes a baby when depicted with Nyx.
Always two temple wings (which makes me wonder why he shows up with only one for me)
Almost always naked, not uncommon for Greek gods in art. But it’s only really more recent depictions that have him clothed, and said clothes are very simple robes.
Pale, which contrasts how he’s written to have almost grey-ish skin described ‘like fine soot’ I assume it was mostly due to the materials used at the time, the ‘fine soot’ tone he’s written to have I believe is meant to resemble the colours of a night sky since he’s sleep, son of night. That being said though, it makes sense someone who lives in Erebus, darkness, would be pale.
Doesn’t often have back wings, but when he’s with Thanatos he does. Maybe it’s to show they’re twins.
Hair is always dark and curly, loosely tied back (again I wonder why he had white hair for me? My guess is to resemble clouds??)
Poppies and his horn are really all he has in terms of accessories, no armour, jewels or weapons.
Ironically, he’s usually awake in art.
Always quite androgynous and soft featured. Not that muscular, slim with a bit of a soft curve (hello that’s my body type :’))
Ears are typically hidden by his wings and hair
Make of all this what you will, I just find it interesting he’s stayed rather consistent in his depictions over the years.