"Jeune femme alanguie", huile sur toile, France, vers 1830-1840

Oil on canvas representing a languid young woman, or sleeping, her right breast uncovered. Who can she be? The painter's lover or wife? Is she in a dream? The attitude is extremely sensual, and one immediately thinks of the painting by Gervex (later): "Rolla", from 1878. We are still here in the 2nd quarter of the 19th century. Feeling takes precedence over reason. We seek escape and delight in dreams, the sublime, exoticism, passion and melancholy. We are in full Romanticism.
Attributed to Claude Marie Dubufe. A favorite theme of this artist, who often represents these young women, half asleep or semi-abandoned.
The Musée Fabre's "Le Sommeil" (59.7 x 72.5) is known in three other versions, including one in a private collection in Versailles.
 Refined frame, old restorations. Very nice effect.