Dreaming Hypnos

Dreaming Within the Fields of Hypnos

This painting Dreaming Within the Fields of Hypnos, oil on wood in frame, 28.5 inches by 14.75 inches. including frame, 31.25 by 17.5 inches.  Original painting available from Saatchi Art.

The background of the painting provides a medium for dream evocation within the viewer. The whole painting can be summed up as a transportation device. A transportation device to delve into the inner canyons of one’s mind.

Dreaming Hypnos the Greek God of Sleep

His first appearance in mythology is in the works of one of the earliest Greek poets, Hesiod who lived around 700 BC. Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death) were the terrible sons of Nyx (Night). Hypnos was, however, generally viewed as a benevolent entity.

The god was frequently mentioned in literary sources, and associated with poppies and sleep-inducing herbs. Hypnos’ wings allowed him to move swiftly over land and sea, and to fan the foreheads of the weary until they fell asleep. His brother was Morpheus, the personification of dreams.

Although frequently shown in vase paintings, sculptural representations of him were rare. The bronze head that inspired this painting belongs to a series of similar heads and figures found mostly in the western Mediterranean, particularly in France, Italy, and Spain.

Statue types represented Hypnos either as an adolescent or, in some variants, as an even younger child. He was shown running forward, holding poppies in his right hand and a drinking horn in his left. Presumably, he poured a sleeping potion from this horn.

This painting shows a wing sprouting from his temple, and his hair elaborately arranged into a series of luxurious locks, some falling freely, others tied in a knot at the back of the head.