Going to sleep is a routine activity for all of us, or a lack of activity if you prefer to call it so. But the idea has never before attracted art experts anywhere in the world to organise an entire exhibition on the subject.

Currently, the Marmottan Monet Museum in Paris is having an unusual exhibit, ‘The Empire of Sleep’, showing some 130 paintings and sculptures thoroughly devoted to the subject of sleep and brought in from museums as well as private collections in foreign countries.

The exhibition includes many mindboggling scenes so far unknown to the public outside the countries of their origin. One such example is the oil work Mother and Child by an early 20th century Spanish painter named Joaquin Sorolla. The large canvas initially appears to be snow-covered sea waves, which in reality are the folds of a silky blanket covering a woman and her baby, both asleep, with only their faces showing under what appears to be a white, cloudy storm.

Another extremely fascinating example, among so many others, is The Poet‘s Dream by the British painter John Faed (1819-1902), in which the dreamer is lying on a wide green hill with the blue sky and grey clouds as background characters. Not much known to global audiences, Faed was well appreciated in his home country during his own lifetime for his many paintings inspired by Shakespeare’s plays.

A museum in Paris has devoted an entire exhibition to a rather unusual subject

One work heavily attracting visitors is The Lady’s Nightmare — a 1781 oil canvas painting by the Swiss painter Henry Fuseli. Like some sort of vision out of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the painting depicts a woman in a deep, nightmarish sleep, as the Devil and a horrifyingly depicted horse watch on.

Questioned as to why they chose this strange subject for an art exhibition, one of the organisers responds: “Going to sleep is a mysterious adventure, where consciousness leaves its place to slumber. And then come pleasant dreams… or frightening nightmares, it all depends on the circumstances! When you wake up, you could be perturbed by what you’ve just been through, but in most cases rather amused as well!”

The Empire of Sleep’ is on display at the Marmottan Monet Museum in Paris from October 9, 2025- March 1, 2026

The writer is an art critic based in Paris. He can be reached at zafmasud@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, EOS, November 30th, 2025

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Dear Auntie,
I am currently facing a hugely confusing situation. I like a guy and we plan to get married soon, but my mother doesn’t like him a lot because he doesn’t earn enough.

Another issue is that, while we get along well, both of us have a dominant nature. This often results in arguments which, at times, result in shouting encounters, followed by long spells of virtually no communication between us. Sometimes, when we’re having these arguments, my mother often overhears and tries to convince me to leave him for good.

I am scared that, even though I like him, what if we split up after getting married? Then my family may not support me and I will be left on my own to deal with the situation. 

Auntie, please advise what I should do. I don’t want to leave him but, at the same time, I am scared of the repercussions if things turn ugly. It’s pertinent to mention that he has a stable career with a sound future, and I am also a working girl though, once we’re married, I want him to be the primary breadwinner.
Regards,
Confused Girl

‘Should I Risk Marriage Without My Family’s Support?’

Dear Confused Girl,
Let’s keep this super simple. You are trying to make a lifelong decision while standing in the middle of chaos. 

The most important thing to know is that your fights matter. Frequent shouting matches and long silences are red flags. Before talking marriage, the two of you need to learn how to argue, without hurting each other. If both of you are domineering personalities, then you both need to learn compromise and communication. If he isn’t willing to work on this with you now, it will not magically happen after you get married.

The second important thing is your mother’s concerns about his income. Yes, income isn’t everything, but it also isn’t nothing. Financial stress destroys relationships. You both need a realistic plan for finances, especially since you want him to be the main breadwinner.

Thirdly, never marry someone out of fear, such as the fear of losing him or the fear of facing your family if it ends. Marry because the relationship feels right and, most importantly, is respectful. Trust me, respect is more important than love in a marriage.

What you should do right now is simple. Tell him you want to work on communication together. You want calmer disagreements, better boundaries with families and a financial plan. See what he says. His response will tell you more than anything else.

And please remember: your family should never “disown” you for a marriage decision. But you also shouldn’t put yourself in a situation where you’ll need rescuing later.

Take your time and think this through before moving forward.

Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is in crisis and/or feeling suicidal, please go to your nearest emergency room and seek medical help immediately.

Auntie will not reply privately to any query. Please send concise queries to: auntieagni@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, EOS, November 30th, 2025

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“What is a constitution? A constitution is an avenue. It is often located in a federal capital. It goes from left to right and north to south. You can drive over it with ease anytime you want. It is protected on either side by footpaths that are regularly trod upon by citizenry who cannot afford motorised means of transport. It is surrounded by enormous buildings of legislation, justice and diplomacy.

“It is only important for those individuals who have nothing to do. For men of action and consequence, it is nothing more than a hindrance. It hinders them and, in turn, they hinder it right back, because men of action do not take crap from anyone or anything.

“We must all learn to be men of action… especially the women amongst us.”

— Industrialist, Politician and WhatsApp Man of Letters Jimmy Jirga, to his 12-year-old son, Pherause Caan

“Ipso facto, a constitution is a document of great import. However, should the judiciary deem it otherwise, it can also assume the shape of an obstreperous obstacle, which must be placed within such constraints as found necessary by their lordships, commanders of the judicial galaxy and masters of all they survey.

“As a document, it is merely a set of rules and regulations that have been agreed upon by a group of beautifully fragranced individuals. These laws do not necessarily apply to this group, unless said laws are in a position to benefit said individuals. The regulations laid therein also have no impact upon the state of non-humans and inanimate objects within the republic.

“However, like a well-oiled corporate entity, every country must bear the burden of a constitution, if it is to exist in today’s modern world. This has become necessary due to the world being run mostly by socialist feminist transgenders, placed in positions of power and prestige by the deep state, in order to wreak havoc over the world that has been so painstakingly created by wealthy but powerless, strong but weak, unaccountable but selfless, affluent, heterosexual men, who have been blessed with all the knowledge that is contained in — to quote the late, great Peter Cook — “the universe and all that surrounds it.”

“As a member of the Supremes, I am given the opportunity to interpret the constitution any which way I wish. I am also blessed with the ability to uphold my judicial principles at my convenience and pass judgements, wind and water, as and when I desire.

“Ergo, it is something that plays an important part in my life, despite trying my best not to let it. But it gives me a pension. And free post-retirement travel. And pays for my utilities. And security. And a staff member or two. And also, I get to keep the gown even when I am no longer part of the Supremes. So, there is that.”

— Legal Eagle and Member of the Supremes Justice Ifti 2.0, addressing members at the Supreme Court Bar Association

 “What is a constitution, you ask? I swear upon it and at it. It is nothing but a piece of paper, which I can tear and throw in the dustbin if I so desire. I like its malleability, as it can be easily suspended, amended and even held in abeyance at a distance if it smells foul (which it often does). It is an impediment to efficient ruling, but does have the ability to make one immune. And that is not such a bad thing in times like these, where all kinds of strange, democratic viruses are rife.”

— Brig (forcibly retd) Babar ‘Bobby’ Niazi, in the recently released documentary Dinner With An Autocratic Babydoll

“A constitution is a waste of time. It has things in it which make no sense. I am told it can be changed. But then, why put something in it that would have to be changed later? This kind of thinking never happens in the corporate world. Evil people use it to run their evil system. That is why leaders like me are sent by the gods to take down the system from within.

“I will do whatever it is in my power to do whatever it is in my power. This is what being a billionaire means. It also means that any document that provides rights to those who don’t deserve them (ie non-billionaires) must be shamed, ridiculed, mocked, made redundant and, subsequently, officially destroyed. It is the least I can do for my followers.”

— Businessman, Politician and Cliftonian Emblem of Masculinity and Erudition Doland J. Drumpf, in a special edition of Forbes 80 under 80.

“Men are not robots and robots need no constitution, just programming. When it works for me, then fine, I say, keep it. But when it stops working, throw it away like a bottle top before they catch you!”

— Cliftonian Messiah, Saviour and Intellectual Pin-up National Icon&Hope Nazir Jr, in Vogue Cliftonia

Farid Alvie was born. He currently lives.
He’s on Instagram @faridalvie

Published in Dawn, EOS, November 30th, 2025

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