Sleeping Beauties

Felice Beato

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts two women lying down on a patterned surface covered by a thick comforter. They are both mostly obscured, with one woman visible from the lower chest upwards and the other woman's face peeking over the shoulder of the first. They both lie on their sides, heads resting on their hands. The woman in front has dark hair styled back and closed eyes, and she is wearing a kimono with a purple pattern and a bow accent. In front of her is a small blue and white cup and a long object resembling a pipe. Beside them is a wooden and paper lantern. The backdrop is a simple, muted wall.