Transitioning Away from Normalcy
One key event in Freud’s life that is crucial for understanding Benefits Supervisor Sleeping is his decision to move away from traditional paintings and embrace a raw, psychological realism. Freud’s early exposure to art, combined with his personal life experiences, influenced his move toward depicting not just the physical form but the emotional and psychological depths of his subjects. He rejected idealized representations and instead focused on the complexities and imperfections of the human body. This shift was shaped by his studies at the Norwich School of Art and later his time working in London, where he developed an intense observational style and keen interest in psychological depth. The connection to the image is the raw portrayal of the woman’s form, with no attempt to beautify or idealize her form. This portrayal is a manifestation of Freud’s exploration of the human psyche and his interest in showing people as they truly are. The unflattering perspective of the woman’s body speaks to Freud’s goal of revealing the internal life of his subjects, exposing not just their physicality but their emotional states.
Stuff, Art Movements. “Lucian Freud’s Legacy: Revolutionizing Modern Art & Humanity - Art Movements - a Brief History.” Art Movements - a Brief History, 26 Apr. 2024, artmovements.net/lucian-freuds-legacy-revolutionizing-modern-art-humanity. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
“Website Filtered.” Dailymail.co.uk, 2025, www.dailymail.co.uk/home/books/article-7483083/Freuds-sexual-code-conduc.... Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.