Adolphe-William Bouguereau Painting Reproductions Gallery 1 of 10

Adolphe-William Bouguereau (1825-1905) was a French painter known for his realistic, idealized depictions of the human form and classical themes. He was one of the most prominent artists of the late 19th century and a leading figure of the academic art movement.

Bouguereau was born on November 30, 1825, in La Rochelle, France. He was the second of three sons born to a family of wine and olive oil merchants. His father hoped that he would follow in the family business, but Bouguereau showed a talent for art from a young age.

At the age of 14, Bouguereau moved to Bordeaux to study art under the painter Jean-Paul Alaux. He then studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he was taught by François-Édouard Picot. Bouguereau was a dedicated student, and his hard work paid off when he won the Prix de Rome in 1850.

In Rome, Bouguereau studied the works of the Old Masters and honed his skills as a painter. He returned to Paris in 1854 and began exhibiting at the Salon, the official art exhibition of the French Academy. He quickly gained a reputation as a skilled and prolific painter, and his works were in high demand.

Bouguereau's paintings typically depicted idealized, classical subjects, such as mythological scenes, historical events, and allegories. His style was characterized by his mastery of composition, his use of vibrant colors, and his attention to detail. His works were popular with collectors and were often reproduced as prints and postcards.

Bouguereau was also a dedicated teacher and served as a professor at the École des Beaux-Arts from 1875 to 1905. He taught many of the leading artists of the next generation, including Henri Matisse and Georges Braque.

Bouguereau's reputation declined in the early 20th century as modernist art movements began to gain popularity. However, his works continued to be admired by many and were rediscovered by a new generation of artists and collectors in the latter half of the 20th century.

Bouguereau died on August 19, 1905, in La Rochelle, France, at the age of 79. He left behind a legacy as one of the most accomplished and influential painters of his time.