Indolent Collection

Two young women at a table, 1870. Creator: David Joseph Bles
Two young women at a table, 1870. One reads the Bible and does embroidery while the other teases a kitten with a yo-yo

The idle beauty (pochoir print)
STC226941 The idle beauty (pochoir print) by Barbier, Georges (1882-1932); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection

La Belle Indolente, from Falbalas & Fanfreluches, Almanach des Modes Presentes, Passees et Futures, 1923 (colour litho)
829046 La Belle Indolente, from Falbalas & Fanfreluches, Almanach des Modes Presentes, Passees et Futures, 1923 (colour litho) by Barbier

HMS Pinafore, sailors on board deck
HMS Pinafore by Gilbert & Sullivan. Sailors on board deck - in short, [Captain Corcoran] did everything possible to make everybody on board thoroughly ill and happy. Date: 1908

An Idle Afternoon, 1884 (oil on canvas)
6041466 An Idle Afternoon, 1884 (oil on canvas) by Stewart, Julius Leblanc (1855-1919); 53.3x101 cm; Private Collection; American, out of copyright

Les Rois Faineants (colour litho)
3094112 Les Rois Faineants (colour litho) by Job, pseudonym for Onfray de Breville, Jacques (1858-1931); Private Collection; (add.info.: Les Rois Faineants)

Louis V of France, known as Louis the Indolent (c 967-987) (chromolitho)
724610 Louis V of France, known as Louis the Indolent (c 967-987) (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Louis V of France)

The lazy husband (chromolitho)
1094252 The lazy husband (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The lazy husband)

Shopkeeper lounges outside his souvenir shop, Cairo, Egypt
A shopkeeper lounges outside his souvenir shop in a back street of Cairo, Egypt. He has an indolent expression on his face and leans on an open draw with his bare feet on a chair Date: circa 1995

Divine Comedy. Eigth Canto of Hell. Dante and Virgil cross t
Divine Comedy. Epic poem written by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and his death in 1321. Eigth Canto of Hell. Dante and Virgil cross the river Styx in the boat of Phlegyas

Native Incas sleep through the morning, neglecting their duties (woodcut)
XJF425642 Native Incas sleep through the morning, neglecting their duties (woodcut) by Poma de Ayala, Felipe Huaman (1526-1613); Private Collection; (add.info)

French royalty: King Louis V & Emperor Charles the Fat
French King Louis V the Indolent (967-987) and Emperor Charles the Fat (839-888)

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Indolent: A Journey Through Laziness and Leisure" In the Divine Comedy's Eighth Canto of Hell, Dante and Virgil traverse a realm where indolence reigns supreme. The etching by Bandelures in 1791 captures their encounter with slothful souls, frozen in their apathy. Centuries later, an idle beauty is depicted in a pochoir print titled "The Idle Beauty. " Her languid pose exudes an air of nonchalance as she revels in her idleness. This sentiment is echoed in "La Belle Indolente, " a colour lithograph from Falbalas & Fanfreluches' Almanach des Modes Presentes, Passees et Futures (1923). On board the HMS Pinafore, sailors bask on the deck, embracing moments of respite amidst their duties. An oil painting called "An Idle Afternoon" transports us to another era where leisure was cherished and time seemed to stand still. "The Rois Faineants, " portrayed through vibrant lithography, showcases kings who were known for their indolence - rulers content to let others govern while they indulged themselves. Even Louis V of France earned himself the moniker 'the Indolent, ' his chromolitho portrait capturing his lackadaisical demeanor. Meanwhile, a lazy husband is humorously depicted through another chromolitho artwork that highlights domestic laziness. In Cairo's bustling streets, a shopkeeper lounges outside his souvenir shop - an embodiment of indolence amidst the city's vibrant energy. And within a colourful picture alphabet lithograph lies hidden hints about life's many facets including moments of repose. From literature to art and history to everyday life across different eras and cultures, indolence has been both celebrated and criticized. It invites us to reflect on our own relationship with leisure – when it becomes excessive or necessary for rejuvenation.