William Adolf Bouguereau

About the Artist

William-Adolphe Bouguereau was a French painter active from 1825 to 1905, a traditionalist painter associated with the Pont-Aven school. Known for realistic paintings based on mythology and figures, he was a leading figure in reinterpreting Classicism in a modern light. His paintings centered on the female body in particular were widely embraced, well matching the aesthetic standards of the society of his time. Bouguereau achieved great popularity in France and the United States, with his works fetching high prices. However, he also drew criticism amid the rise of Impressionism, falling out of favor in the early 20th century before regaining attention in the 1980s.