William-Adolphe Bouguereau

William-Adolphe Bouguereau was the king of beauty-reau (beauty bureau)! His style, known as Academic Realism, focused on idealized and highly polished depictions of classical and biblical subjects, as well as everyday scenes of peasant life.

Key Characteristics:

• Impeccable Technique: Flawless brushwork, smooth surfaces, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Idealized Beauty: Figures possess perfect proportions and are rendered with a soft, ethereal quality.
• Classical Influence: Strong emphasis on composition, drapery, and themes derived from Greek and Roman art.
• Sentimentality: Often evokes a sense of nostalgia, innocence, and emotional depth.
• Narrative: Paintings typically tell a story or convey a moral message.

Key Themes:

• Mythology and Allegory: Gods, goddesses, and symbolic figures.
• Biblical Stories: Scenes from the Bible.
• Childhood and Innocence: Charming depictions of children and families.
• Peasant Life: Romanticized views of rural life and labor.