The Sleeping Beauty

"The Sleeping Beauty" by John Collier is a mesmerizing depiction of the classic fairy tale, infused with Pre-Raphaelite elegance. The painting captures the princess in a deep, enchanted sleep, draped in an intricately embroidered gown that cascades over the ornate wooden bed. Her golden hair spills over the cushions, catching the soft light filtering through the stained glass windows behind her.

Two maidens accompany her, their postures laden with sorrow and devotion. One in a rich red gown sits pensively, while the other, dressed in deep blue, leans against the bed, her head bowed in quiet despair. The stained glass windows and gothic wood paneling set the scene in a medieval dreamscape, enhancing the painting’s ethereal atmosphere.

Collier’s attention to texture and detail, from the delicate embroidery to the shimmer of light on the floor, makes this work a breathtaking representation of the timeless legend.