The Sleeping Venus

"Sleeping Venus" is a mythological painting created in 1944 by Belgian artist Paul Delvaux. This Surrealism piece depicts a serene, reclining Venus on a canvas, set against a backdrop of classical buildings. Surrounded by anguished people in a wartime Brussels town square, Delvaux aimed to juxtapose the calm, timeless figure of Venus with the chaos and psychological tension caused by World War II bombings. Since 1957, the painting has been part of the Tate collection in London, highlighting its enduring artistic significance.