| Medium | : | Acrylic |
|---|---|---|
| Height | : | 42 inch / 106.7 cm |
| Width | : | 52 inch / 132.1 cm |
| Surface | : | Canvas |
| Style | : | Animals paintings, Figurative Paintings |
| Dimension | : | W: 132.1 cm × H: 106.7 cm |
| Year | : | 2024 |
A touching contemporary painting portraying people and animals sleeping together under the night sky in a moment of quiet rest and togetherness. Rich in emotion and human warmth, the artwork beautifully captures themes of fatigue, comfort, and shared humanity through expressive colors and bold brushwork.
Ashoke Mullick | Sleeping in Night | Acrylic on Canvas | 42 x 52 inches | 2024
This deeply evocative artwork captures a quiet moment of shared rest beneath the open night sky. A group of figures — men, women, children, and even a resting dog — lie closely together on scattered cloths, wrapped in exhaustion and silence. The painting feels intimate and profoundly human, portraying the vulnerability and resilience of everyday life with remarkable sensitivity.
The artist uses earthy tones, layered brushstrokes, and fragmented forms to create a scene that feels both real and dreamlike. The sleeping bodies blend gently into one another, suggesting a sense of togetherness, survival, and emotional connection. There is no dramatic action here — only stillness, fatigue, and the comfort of being close to loved ones after a long day.
What makes the artwork especially moving is its honesty. The figures appear unguarded in sleep, free from the burdens of the world for a brief moment. The inclusion of the sleeping dog adds warmth and tenderness, reinforcing the atmosphere of quiet companionship. In the distance, the muted landscape and dark horizon create a calm, almost meditative backdrop that enhances the emotional depth of the composition.
The painting beautifully reflects themes of humanity, shelter, rest, and shared existence. Through expressive colors and bold contemporary styling, the artist transforms a simple nighttime scene into a powerful visual narrative about life, hardship, and peace found in togetherness.
I like to depict the modern times when people have lost all human contact and have become mechanised. They read newspapers, pick up some jargon and communicate most of the time by telephone. As a painter, I throw light on these aspects where traditions are breaking down and the relationship between generations is getting lost.
Ashoke Mullick is considered one of the leading painters from the Bengal School of Art. Mullick combines a sense of satire with contemporary conditions. His paintings focus strongly on the ordinary man and the contradictions he faces.
Sometimes the look is satiric at other times, it is compassionate, says Mullick of his own works. He uses colours like greens and blues to depict a largely urban India.
Mullick was educated at the Fine Arts Government College, Kolkata. He was greatly fascinated and influenced by works of painters like Gaganendranath Tagore. I was also influenced by German Expressionism that linked art to life. The effects I create are intentional and I want them to become a part of visual experience, he says.
He mostly works in oil on canvas, because as he says, That’s the medium which let’s me experiment the most and which helps me to depict modern life, which in some ways is surrealistic.
If you’d prefer the artwork to arrive ready to hang, please get in touch with us to arrange framing and shipping at applicable charges.
Please note: Customs duties and import taxes may apply at your destination in accordance with your country’s regulations. Refer to our International Shipment document for guidance and support.
| Medium | |
|---|---|
| Height | |
| Width | |
| Surface | |
| Style |
