The artwork titled “The sleeping church,” created by William Hogarth between 1728 and 1729, is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 53.5 x 44.5 cm. This piece belongs to the Rococo art movement and is categorized as an allegorical painting.
The artwork vividly portrays a scene inside a church, characterized by a somewhat satirical and critical depiction of its congregation. At the pulpit, a preacher is seen delivering a sermon, seemingly engrossed in his task, yet his audience appears disengaged. The lady in the foreground, donned in red, is captured in a state of drowsiness, her head tilted back and eyes closed, holding a book in her hand. Next to her, a man is slouched over, seemingly asleep. Another figure, robust and formally dressed, is at a desk with closed eyes and clasped hands, perhaps asleep or lost in thought. The congregation below appears indifferent, some looking upwards while others gaze forward blankly. The background features arched windows and cherubs, adding an element of classical adornment typically associated with Rococo artistry. The entirety of the scene conveys a message about inattentiveness and the mundane nature of the religious practices depicted.
