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William-Adolphe Bouguereau
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William-Adolphe Bouguereau

Fotografía de Bouguereau
PAINTER'S DATA
Birth name: William Adolphe Bouguereau.
Country of nationality: France.
Birth: 1825, La Rochelle, France.
Death: 1905, La Rochelle.
Style: Academicism.

William Adolphe Bouguereau was a French painter, a pioneer in the development of the neoclassical style and the application of academic standards in pictorial composition.

He was born into a Catholic, lower-middle-class family, dedicated to the small-scale trade of wine and oil. At 8 years old, his priest uncle Eugène instilled in him a love for nature and art, while he stood out at school as a draftsman. It was not until the age of 17 that he began to receive formal training in visual arts.

At some point in his transition to adulthood, Bouguereau developed a firm desire to dedicate himself to painting. Although he faced family opposition, he remained steadfast in his purpose and planned to establish himself in Paris, for which he painted and sold his first 33 paintings, while living with his family in Bordeaux.

In 1846 at the age of 20, he arrived in Paris and began a successful professional journey, which would establish him as one of the most appreciated and sought-after artists of his time, both in France and the United States.

The first event that greatly propelled his career was winning the Rome Prize, awarded by the French crown, which took him to reside in the Villa Medici, where he learned and connected with the leading European artists of the time. Thereafter, he was commissioned by the most prominent political and religious personalities of the time, the very Napoleon Bonaparte commissioned his most famous portrait.

Although he resided in Paris most of the time, he constantly returned to his hometown La Rochelle, where he died at the age of 79 due to heart failure.


Works of Bouguereau

Bouguereau's paintings mainly focus on Greek and Roman mythology, which he interpreted extensively with a hyperrealistic brushstroke and a significant tendency to describe human anatomy, especially female. Secondly, he was inspired by costumbrist scenes featuring children, always with a fantastical aura.



  • "Cupido y Psique, niños"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: L'Amour et Psyché, enfants
    Style: Academicism
    Genre: Mythological painting
    Year: 1890
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Located at: Private collection

    Se trata de una de las obras más célebres del pintor. Erróneamente se ha atribuido a esta obra el título "El Primer Beso", el cual corresponde a una obra de 1873.

    Actualmente el cuadro es parte de una colección privada y no está expuesto al público.


  • "La penitente"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Title (English): The Penitent
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1876
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Location: Laing Art Gallery, England

    Muestra un rostro de una hermosa joven con velo negro, enjoyada en dorado con collar y brazalete. El fondo es liso: morado degradando a naranja. La atención en la composición se centra en la cara y las manos del personaje.


  • "Joven defendiéndose de Eros"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Jeune fille se défendant contre Éros
    Title (English): A Young Girl Defending Herself Against Eros
    Style: Academicism
    Genre: Mythological painting
    Year: 1880
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Location: J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA

    Muestra a una muchacha, con gesto lúdico hacia el dios griego del amor, representado como un pequeño ángel.


  • "La noche"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: La Nuit
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1883
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Location: Hillwood Museum and Gardens, USA

    La tela muestra uno de los motivos más repetidos en la carrera del artista, una mujer, usualmente representando a una diosa mitológica, flotando en el aire con diversos elementos, en este caso se trata de Nix, la deidad griega de la noche (ver en Wikipedia). Otro ejemplo de composición con el mismo estilo es el cuadro "La aurora".


  • "La aurora"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: L'Aurore
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1881
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Location: Birmingham Museum of Art, USA

    El personaje "La aurora" (ver en Wikipedia), es una diosa de la mitología romana, conocida por sus apariciones en la literatura clásica. Citada desde antiguo por figuras literarias como: Homero, Virgilio y posteriormente el propio Shakespeare.

    Esta obra llena de movimiento muestra a una doncella suspendida en el aire tocando el agua con la punta del pie, oliendo una flor de cala y enarbolando una tela que a su vez le cubre el cuerpo. La composición es redonda, la dinámica de la figura fluye en todas direcciones: cabeza, brazo y piernas desde el centro.


  • "David el pastorcillo"
    Author: Elizabeth Jane Gardner, wife of W. A. Bouguereau
    Original title: The Shepherd David
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1895
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Location: National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, U.S.A.

    Tela al óleo titulada "David el pastorcillo", realizada en 1895 por la artista Elizabeth Jane Gardner, esposa de W. A. Bouguereau.

    La pintora estadounidense se mimetizó a tal punto con el estilo de su esposo que usualmente la autoría de los cuadros es confundida.

    Basada en el pasaje bíblico del primer libro del profeta Samuel, donde el pequeño Rey David prueba su valor frente al pueblo, peleando con Goliat y con las bestias más fabulosas, en este caso el león.


  • "Cupido"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Cupidon
    Title (English): Cupid
    Style: Academicism
    Genre: Mythological painting
    Year: 1891
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Located at: Private collection

    Se trata de uno de los "ángeles del amor" más conocidos del artista.


  • "La pastorcilla"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Pastourelle
    Title (English): The Shepherdess
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1889
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Located in: Philbrook Museum of Art, USA

    Muestra una niña trabajando en los Alpes, con un atuendo típico de la época. El personaje es el protagonista absoluto de la composición, de cuerpo completo y centrado en el lienzo, deja ver las más exquisitas pinceladas realistas de este genio.


  • "A la orilla del arroyo"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Au bord du ruisseau
    Title (English): At the Edge of the Brook
    Style: Academicism
    Genre: Genre painting
    Year: 1875
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Located at: Private collection

    Muestra a una niña con diadema de flores y ropajes de la época, sentada sobre una piedra al borde del riachuelo, en un entorno de campo.


  • "After the Bath"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Après le bain
    Title (English): After the Bath
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1875
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Located at: Dalí Theatre-Museum, Spain

  • "A Little Coaxing"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Câlinerie
    Also known as: A Little Pampering
    Title in English: A Little Coaxing
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1890
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Located at: Private collection

    It shows two sisters, the younger one kissing the cheek of the older one, both barefoot and sitting at the entrance of a city house. Both seem to be posing especially for the artist.


  • "The Abduction of Psyche"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Le Ravissement de Psyché
    Title (English): The Abduction of Psyche
    Also known as: The Kidnapping of Psyche
    Style: Academicism
    Genre: Mythological painting
    Year: 1895
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Located at: Private collection

    It shows the angel Cupid carrying away Psyche, the Greek mythological goddess. More information about the work at Wikipedia.


  • "The Horseback Ride"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: La bourrique
    Title (English): The Horseback Ride
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1884
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Located at: Berkshire Museum, USA

    Two girls playing outdoors in a rural setting, one of them sitting on the back of the other. Both in complicated postures, they were painted with exact body proportions. Also, the level of detail of faces, hands, and feet is utmost.


  • "The Elder Sister"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: La Sœur aînée
    Title (English): The Elder Sister
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1869
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Located at: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

    Shows a girl of approximately 8 years old, sitting at the edge of the road, with the medium-height horizon showing a vast valley, on a partly cloudy day. With her little sister sleeping in her arms, both dressed in typical French attire of the time.


  • "The Crab"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Le crabe
    Title (English): The Crab
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1869
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Located at: Private collection

    Shows a small girl playing on the beach with a little black crab, in the background, the marine horizon and a boat with fishermen.


  • "The Innocence"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: L'Innocence
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1893
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas

    Presents three figures that symbolize innocence in Western culture: the Lamb, the Virgin, and the Child.


  • "The Newborn Lamb"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: L'Agneau Nouveau-Né
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1873
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Located at: Berkshire Museum, USA

    It's a country scene where the young shepherdess, barefoot and in humble attire, holds in her arms the new lamb born in the flock.


  • "Little Girl"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Petite fille
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1878
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Located at: National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo

    Displays the bust of a girl with her hands in a prayer position and a black background. As usual for the painter, the facial expression, chiaroscuro, colors, and details are magnificently achieved.


  • "Gleaner"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Glaneuse
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1894
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas

    It is a half-body portrait of a young peasant girl from the 19th-century French countryside. On her back, a bundle of wheat ears. In the background, the crops and the mid-height horizon.


  • "The Invasion"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Le Guêpier
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1892
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas

    The title has been translated in various ways, as it does not have a direct meaning outside of French, including "The Wasp's Nest" and "The Trap".

    It is a mythological scene, where a maiden is approached by seven angels in the form of children.


  • "Joven italiana sacando agua"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Jeune Italienne puisant de l'eau
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1871
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas

    Una hermosa doncella italiana, posando mientras descansa en el cántaro recién llenado en el pozo.


  • "El Amor y Psique"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: L'Amour et Psych
    Style: Academicism
    Genre: Mythological painting
    Year: 1899
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas

    Los personajes son recurrentes en el artista, quien estaba casi obsesionado con ellos, estos han sido protagonistas de las obras más famosas de Bouguereau, el más destacado había sido pintado hace 9 años: "Cupido y Psique, niños".


  • "No demasiada carga"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Fardeau pleasant (Pas trop à porter)
    Estilo: Neoclásico
    Year: 1895
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas

  • "Entorno natural, la joven y un niño"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Éventail naturel, jeune fille et enfant
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1881
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Se encuentra en: Museo de Arte de Portland, EE. UU.

  • "Amor al acecho"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Amour à l'affut
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1890
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas

    Obra al óleo famosa, donde se aprecia al ángel Cupido pronto a disparar su flecha.


  • "Pequeña gruñona"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Petite boudeuse
    Style: Academicism
    Género: Costumbrismo
    Year: 1888
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas

    Un par de hermanas en una casa rural francesa, la pequeña malhumorada mira distraída mientras la otra intenta llamar su atención entregándole un juguete de trapo.


  • "Joven pastora"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Jeune Bergère
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1868
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Se encuentra en: Museo de Arte Appleton, EE. UU.

    La tela reproduce a una muchacha con cayado, apoyada en las vallas de madera que protegen a su redil, al fondo las ovejas, un monte, valle y mar.


  • "Juventud"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Jeunesse
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1893
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas

    Una doncella tapándose los oídos ante las proposiciones de un par de angelitos, uno de ellos le ofrece una rosa roja, mientras el otro la mira con ternura. Los ropajes de la joven y el mobiliario de piedra, son una fusión entre la estética francesa de la época y la antigua Grecia.

    Actualmente no se tiene noticia de la ubicación de la obra.


  • "Canciones de primavera"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Chansons de printemps
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1889
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Se encuentra en: Manos privadas

    Reproduce la visión de una joven en el bosque, acompañada por un par de ángeles que le susurran al oído. Esta fue realizada 4 años antes que la obra "Juventud", la cual ofrecería una composición muy similar, esta vez con la doncella tapándose los oídos.


  • "La pesca de ranas"
    Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau
    Original title: Pêche pour les grenouilles
    Style: Academicism
    Year: 1882
    Type: Painting
    Technique: Oil
    Support: Canvas
    Se encuentra en: Colección Luckett Collection, EE. UU.

    dos niñas francesas del siglo XIX, intentando sacar algo del pantano, valiéndose de un pequeño palo y sedal. Ambas con expresión de tedio, con poca esperanza de lograr su cometido, aun así, una le tiende el brazo mientras la otra la mira.

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