William Bouguereau
(1825 - 1905) |
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Portraiture, Romantic use of female figures Art Work
| Name: |
William Bouguereau |
| Gender: |
Male |
| Place of Birth: |
La Rochelle, France |
| Nationality: |
French |
| Birth: |
1825 |
| Death: |
1905 |
| Website: |
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| Past Auctions: |
Click Here |
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Quick Facts
| Known For: |
Portraiture, Romantic use of female figures |
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| Method: |
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| Style: |
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| Fine Art Profession(s): |
Painting
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Biography
Bouguereau was considered to be one of the greatest painters in the world by the Academic art community in his own time. He was simultaneously reviled by the avant-garde. He also gained wide fame in Belgium, Holland, Spain, and in the United States, and commanded high prices.
Bouguereau's career was a nearly straight up ascent with hardly a setback. To many, he epitomized taste and refinement, and tradition. To others, he was a skilled technician stuck in the past. Degas and his associates used the term "Bouguereaute" in a negative connotation to describe any artistic style reliant on "slick and artificial surfaces". In an 1872 letter, Degas wrote that he strove to emulate Bouguereau's ordered and productive working style, although with Degas' famous trenchant wit, it is possible the statement was meant to be ironic.
Bouguereau's works were quickly bought by American millionaires who considered him the most important French artist of that time period. But after 1920, Bouguereau fell into disrepute, due in part to changing tastes and partly to his staunch opposition to the Impressionists who were finally gaining acceptance. For decades following, his name was not even mentioned. |
Samples of Work
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