![Portrait of Adolphe-William Bouguereau](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/bouguereau000.jpg)
Adolphe-William Bouguereau Painting Reproductions 2 of 11
1825-1905
French Academic Classicism Painter
Adolphe-William Bouguereau (1825-1905) was a French academic painter. He was a traditionalist whose polished and idealized paintings emphasized mythological and religious subjects. Bouguereau was a highly successful artist during his lifetime, but his work fell out of favor with the rise of modern art. In recent decades, there has been a revival of interest in his paintings.
Adolphe-William Bouguereau was born on November 30, 1825, in La Rochelle, France. He showed an early talent for drawing and was sent to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux. In 1846, Bouguereau won the Prix de Rome, a prestigious scholarship that allowed him to study classical art in Rome. During his four years in Italy, Bouguereau studied Renaissance masters like Raphael and Michelangelo, who would greatly influence his own style.
After returning to France, Bouguereau established himself as a history and religious painter. He depicted scenes from ancient mythology, the Bible, and the lives of the saints. His paintings were praised for their skillful draftsmanship, use of rich colors, and idealized beauty. Bouguereau employed a meticulous painting technique and often made dozens of preparatory sketches for a single work.
In 1850, Bouguereau was awarded the Legion of Honor, the highest decoration in France. He gained widespread fame and was in high demand as a portraitist for aristocrats and the bourgeoisie. Bouguereau's paintings were very popular at the annual Paris Salon, and he served as an official judge at the Salon for decades.
Bouguereau's style embodied the French Academy's emphasis on technical skill, classical subjects, and ideal beauty. His paintings were praised for their polished finish and photographic realism. However, with the rise of modern art in the late 19th century, Bouguereau's traditional style fell out of favor. Younger avant-garde artists criticized his work as superficial, sentimental, and detached from contemporary life.
Despite the criticism, Bouguereau remained popular with collectors and the public until his death. He continued exhibiting at the Salon until 1904. Bouguereau passed away on August 19, 1905, at the age of 79, in his hometown of La Rochelle, France.
For most of the 20th century, Bouguereau's work was dismissed by art historians and critics. However, since the 1980s, there has been a revival of interest in his paintings. Bouguereau is now recognized as a master of the academic style, with a technical virtuosity and idealized sensuality that appeals to modern audiences. His works are held in major museums around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Musée d'Orsay, and the J. Paul Getty Museum.
Bouguereau's work is now seen as a pinnacle of skill and craftsmanship, rather than mere sentimentality. His paintings are admired for their visual splendor and idealization of the human form. His sensual and decorative style appeals to modern sensibilities more attuned to sexuality and the body. Paintings like The Birth of Venus have become popular and recognizable.
Bouguereau's work represents an important aspect of 19th-century French painting that was long overlooked. His immense popularity and mastery of the Salon style are now recognized as significant. Though the Impressionists rebelled against his style, Bouguereau was an inspiration for later painters like Salvador Dalí, who praised his technical skill and "virtuosity." Bouguereau's work has parallels with 20th-century Surrealism.
Bouguereau's paintings have become highly sought after in the art market, with major works selling for millions of dollars. His revival is linked to a renewed interest in academic and figurative painting among collectors.
Bouguereau has emerged from obscurity to regain his place as a pivotal figure in 19th-century art. His masterful paintings are once again admired for their visual splendor, technical brilliance, and embodiment of traditional values. Bouguereau's revival reflects a desire to reexamine art history and a newfound appreciation for the academic style he helped define.
Adolphe-William Bouguereau was born on November 30, 1825, in La Rochelle, France. He showed an early talent for drawing and was sent to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux. In 1846, Bouguereau won the Prix de Rome, a prestigious scholarship that allowed him to study classical art in Rome. During his four years in Italy, Bouguereau studied Renaissance masters like Raphael and Michelangelo, who would greatly influence his own style.
After returning to France, Bouguereau established himself as a history and religious painter. He depicted scenes from ancient mythology, the Bible, and the lives of the saints. His paintings were praised for their skillful draftsmanship, use of rich colors, and idealized beauty. Bouguereau employed a meticulous painting technique and often made dozens of preparatory sketches for a single work.
In 1850, Bouguereau was awarded the Legion of Honor, the highest decoration in France. He gained widespread fame and was in high demand as a portraitist for aristocrats and the bourgeoisie. Bouguereau's paintings were very popular at the annual Paris Salon, and he served as an official judge at the Salon for decades.
Bouguereau's style embodied the French Academy's emphasis on technical skill, classical subjects, and ideal beauty. His paintings were praised for their polished finish and photographic realism. However, with the rise of modern art in the late 19th century, Bouguereau's traditional style fell out of favor. Younger avant-garde artists criticized his work as superficial, sentimental, and detached from contemporary life.
Despite the criticism, Bouguereau remained popular with collectors and the public until his death. He continued exhibiting at the Salon until 1904. Bouguereau passed away on August 19, 1905, at the age of 79, in his hometown of La Rochelle, France.
For most of the 20th century, Bouguereau's work was dismissed by art historians and critics. However, since the 1980s, there has been a revival of interest in his paintings. Bouguereau is now recognized as a master of the academic style, with a technical virtuosity and idealized sensuality that appeals to modern audiences. His works are held in major museums around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Musée d'Orsay, and the J. Paul Getty Museum.
Bouguereau's work is now seen as a pinnacle of skill and craftsmanship, rather than mere sentimentality. His paintings are admired for their visual splendor and idealization of the human form. His sensual and decorative style appeals to modern sensibilities more attuned to sexuality and the body. Paintings like The Birth of Venus have become popular and recognizable.
Bouguereau's work represents an important aspect of 19th-century French painting that was long overlooked. His immense popularity and mastery of the Salon style are now recognized as significant. Though the Impressionists rebelled against his style, Bouguereau was an inspiration for later painters like Salvador Dalí, who praised his technical skill and "virtuosity." Bouguereau's work has parallels with 20th-century Surrealism.
Bouguereau's paintings have become highly sought after in the art market, with major works selling for millions of dollars. His revival is linked to a renewed interest in academic and figurative painting among collectors.
Bouguereau has emerged from obscurity to regain his place as a pivotal figure in 19th-century art. His masterful paintings are once again admired for their visual splendor, technical brilliance, and embodiment of traditional values. Bouguereau's revival reflects a desire to reexamine art history and a newfound appreciation for the academic style he helped define.
241 Bouguereau Paintings
![The Pet Bird, 1867 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau025.jpg)
The Pet Bird 1867
Oil Painting
$1961
$1961
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-196
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 81.9 x 66 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 81.9 x 66 cm
Private Collection
![The Broken Pitcher, 1891 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau026.jpg)
The Broken Pitcher 1891
Oil Painting
$1941
$1941
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-197
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 134.6 x 83.8 cm
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, California, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 134.6 x 83.8 cm
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, California, USA
![Rest in Harvest, 1865 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau027.jpg)
Rest in Harvest 1865
Oil Painting
$1794
$1794
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-198
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 81.3 x 147.3 cm
Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 81.3 x 147.3 cm
Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, USA
![Child at Bath, 1886 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau028.jpg)
Child at Bath 1886
Oil Painting
$2053
$2053
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-199
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 83.5 x 61.6 cm
Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 83.5 x 61.6 cm
Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA
![Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist, 1882 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau029.jpg)
Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist 1882
Oil Painting
$2826
$2826
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-200
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 190.5 x 111 cm
Herbert F Johnson Museum of Art, Ithaca, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 190.5 x 111 cm
Herbert F Johnson Museum of Art, Ithaca, USA
![Charity, 1878 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau030.jpg)
Charity 1878
Oil Painting
$2938
$2938
Canvas Print
$55.20
$55.20
SKU: BWA-201
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 196 x 117 cm
Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 196 x 117 cm
Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, USA
![Virgin and Child, 1888 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau031.jpg)
Virgin and Child 1888
Oil Painting
$2503
$2503
Canvas Print
$73.50
$73.50
SKU: BWA-202
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 176.5 x 103 cm
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 176.5 x 103 cm
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
![Song of the Angels, 1881 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau032.jpg)
Song of the Angels 1881
Oil Painting
$4275
$4275
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-203
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 213.4 x 152.4 cm
Museum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 213.4 x 152.4 cm
Museum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, USA
![The Flagellation of Christ, 1880 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau033.jpg)
The Flagellation of Christ 1880
Oil Painting
$8700
$8700
Canvas Print
$88.27
$88.27
SKU: BWA-204
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 309 x 212 cm
La Rochelle Cathedral, La Rochelle, France
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 309 x 212 cm
La Rochelle Cathedral, La Rochelle, France
![Young Girl Defending Herself against Eros, 1880 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau034.jpg)
Young Girl Defending Herself against Eros 1880
Oil Painting
$2293
$2293
Canvas Print
$51.98
$51.98
SKU: BWA-205
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 81.6 x 57.8 cm
J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 81.6 x 57.8 cm
J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA
![Pieta, 1876 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau035.jpg)
Pieta 1876
Oil Painting
$4527
$4527
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-206
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 230 x 148 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 230 x 148 cm
Private Collection
![Vierge consolatrice (Virgin of Consolation), 1877 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau036.jpg)
Vierge consolatrice (Virgin of Consolation) 1877
Oil Painting
$2637
$2637
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-207
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 204 x 148 cm
Art Museums, Strasbourg, France
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 204 x 148 cm
Art Museums, Strasbourg, France
![A Soul Brought to Heaven, 1878 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau037.jpg)
A Soul Brought to Heaven 1878
Oil Painting
$1821
$1821
SKU: BWA-208
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Musee du Perigord, Perigueux, France
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Musee du Perigord, Perigueux, France
![Orestes Pursued by the Furies, 1862 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau038.jpg)
Orestes Pursued by the Furies 1862
Oil Painting
$2661
$2661
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-209
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 231 x 279 cm
Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 231 x 279 cm
Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, USA
![Art and Literature, 1867 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau039.jpg)
Art and Literature 1867
Oil Painting
$2103
$2103
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-210
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 200 x 108 cm
Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 200 x 108 cm
Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, USA
![Homer and His Guide, 1874 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau040.jpg)
Homer and His Guide 1874
Oil Painting
$2503
$2503
Canvas Print
$63.61
$63.61
SKU: BWA-211
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 209 x 143 cm
Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 209 x 143 cm
Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin, USA
![Young Priestess, 1902 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau041.jpg)
Young Priestess 1902
Oil Painting
$2053
$2053
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-212
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 181 x 81 cm
Memorial Art Gallery at the University of Rochester, New York, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 181 x 81 cm
Memorial Art Gallery at the University of Rochester, New York, USA
![Seated Nude, 1884 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau042.jpg)
Seated Nude 1884
Oil Painting
$1794
$1794
Canvas Print
$58.18
$58.18
SKU: BWA-213
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 116.5 x 89 cm
The Clark Art Institute, Massachusetts, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 116.5 x 89 cm
The Clark Art Institute, Massachusetts, USA
![The Bathers, 1884 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau043.jpg)
The Bathers 1884
Oil Painting
$2103
$2103
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-214
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 201 x 129 cm
Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 201 x 129 cm
Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois, USA
![The Nymphaeum, 1878 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau044.jpg)
The Nymphaeum 1878
Oil Painting
$3477
$3477
Canvas Print
$52.80
$52.80
SKU: BWA-215
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 144.8 x 209.5 cm
The Haggin Museum, California, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 144.8 x 209.5 cm
The Haggin Museum, California, USA
![The Birth of Venus, 1879 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau045.jpg)
The Birth of Venus 1879
Oil Painting
$3805
$3805
Canvas Print
$89.34
$89.34
SKU: BWA-216
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 300 x 215 cm
Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 300 x 215 cm
Musee d'Orsay, Paris, France
![Nymphs and Satyr, 1873 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau046.jpg)
Nymphs and Satyr 1873
Oil Painting
$2707
$2707
Canvas Print
$52.39
$52.39
SKU: BWA-217
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 260 x 180 cm
The Clark Art Institute, Massachusetts, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 260 x 180 cm
The Clark Art Institute, Massachusetts, USA
![Admiration, 1897 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau047.jpg)
Admiration 1897
Oil Painting
$3033
$3033
Canvas Print
$70.18
$70.18
SKU: BWA-218
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 147 x 200 cm
San Antonio Museum of Art, Texas, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 147 x 200 cm
San Antonio Museum of Art, Texas, USA
![Girl, 1895 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau048.jpg)
Girl 1895
Oil Painting
$2038
$2038
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-219
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 115.8 x 68.6 cm
Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 115.8 x 68.6 cm
Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, USA