A serene portrait by Paula Modersohn-Becker depicts a child with eyes closed, draped in a white cloth. The muted palette and expressive brushwork create a contemplative mood.

Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876-1907) was a German painter and one of the most important early Expressionists. Her brief but productive career produced innovative portraits and still lifes, often characterised by simplified forms and a focus on the human figure. She was part of the artistic community in Worpswede, Germany, which attracted artists seeking a rural setting and a return to nature. Her work anticipated many of the developments of 20th-century modernism. This painting presents a close-up view of a child's face, eyes closed in what appears to be sleep or contemplation. The child is draped with a white cloth that covers the head and shoulders, creating a sense of enclosure and serenity. The colour palette is restrained, dominated by muted tones of white, cream, and flesh, set against a dark background. The brushwork is visible and expressive, adding texture and depth to the image. The focus is on the child's face, rendered with sensitivity and a degree of abstraction that is typical of Modersohn-Becker's style.