Amour endormi

Sleeping Cupid from around 1620 shows Gentileschi painting a mythological subject with the naturalism she brought to all her work. The sleeping god of love is rendered as a real child, grounding mythology in observed reality. Artemisia Gentileschi's powerfully direct treatment of female subjects—heroines, saints, and biblical figures depicted with unprecedented psychological force and physical credibility—makes her one of the most significant figures in the Baroque tradition.

The sleeping child figure is modeled with warm Caravaggist lighting. Gentileschi's naturalistic handling of the infant form creates a convincing image of childhood sleep.