Artchallenge #12 entry 1: Strange bed fellows

This week's artchallenge is again a painting by artist Rafal Olbinski. Here is my interpretation

tóngchuáng yìmèng 同床异梦: Strange bed fellows

As soon as I saw the painting I thought of a Chinese saying tong chuang yi meng which literally means to share the same bed with different dreams. This phrase is often used to describe the strained relationship between a couple. This painting emphasizes the alienanation between the man and the woman with the long elongated bed over a chasm. While the woman is awake the man seems to be asleep. He may have fallen into a drunken stupor after drinking the wine before going to bed. Although there are two wine glasses, she did not share a drink with him.

The fact they are facing opposite sides further highlights their estrangement and the difference in their "dreams." However the man seems to be dreaming of sending a word of reconciliation to his wife as represented by the letter-carrying dove. The red "ball" could be a symbol of the fruit in the Garden of Eden that led to the fall, which caused the rift between man and woman.

There is hope in the painting because they are dressed in white and sharing a white bed. The color white symbolizes purity and hope. There is hope because she has read the letters and is wide awake contemplating her response.

Thanks again for a fun challenge @aksinya!