The Most Famous Bedroom Paintings
Throughout history, artists have been captivated by the bedroom's allure. Let’s look at some of the most famous bedroom paintings that left an indelible mark on the art world.
Vincent van Gogh's "The Bedroom" (1889)
The painting of “The Bedroom” is a reminder of the calm before the storm. Following Vincent's death in 1890, the picture remained in the artist's family and is now a highlight of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, where it can be viewed alongside his painting of the Yellow House and his portrait of Gauguin. The painting, with its vibrant colours and bold brushstrokes, reflects the artist's longing for serenity and stability amidst his tumultuous life.
Edvard Munch's "The Bed" (1892)
"The Bed" is a haunting depiction of the artist's sickbed during a bout of illness. Rendered in Munch's signature style, the painting exudes a sense of isolation and despair, with the bed dominating the composition like a silent witness to the artist's suffering.
Pablo Picasso's "Le Rêve" (The Dream) (1932)
“Le Rêve”, which means “the dream” in French, is one of Pablo Picasso's famous portrait paintings of his mistress, Marie-Thérèse Walter. It has been described as “erotic”, reportedly painted in one day, and was sold for over $150 million in 2013. Picasso's innovative approach to form and perspective imbues the scene with a sense of dynamic energy, blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy.
Frida Kahlo's "The Dream (The Bed)" (1940)
In this painting, “The Dream”, Frida expressed her feelings and interception of death. In real life, Frida has a skeleton on the canopy of her bed. Her husband, Diego Rivera, called the Juda Frida's lover, but Frida said it was just an amusing reminder of people's mortality. Through her raw and unflinching self-portrayal, Kahlo invites viewers to confront their own vulnerabilities and insecurities, forging a profoundly personal connection that transcends time and space.
Vincent van Gogh's "Bedroom in Arles" (1888)
While he was in Arles, Van Gogh made this painting of his bedroom in the Yellow House. He prepared the room himself with simple furniture and with his own work on the wall. The bright colours were meant to express absolute 'repose' or 'sleep'.
Edward Hopper "Room in New York " (1932)
The idea for “Room in New York” had been on Edward Hopper's mind long before he put brush to canvas. In 1935, he shared that “it was suggested by glimpses of lighted interiors seen as I walked along the city streets at night ... it is no particular street or house, but is rather a synthesis of many impressions.”
