![Portrait of Adolphe-William Bouguereau](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/bouguereau000.jpg)
Adolphe-William Bouguereau Painting Reproductions 6 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
![Madonna with the Christ Child and Saint John the Baptist, 1863 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau121.jpg)
Madonna with the Christ Child and Saint John the ... 1863
Oil Painting
$3477
$3477
Canvas Print
$74.61
$74.61
SKU: BWA-292
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 137 x 108 cm
Chi-Mei Museum, Taiwan, Taiwan
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 137 x 108 cm
Chi-Mei Museum, Taiwan, Taiwan
![The Crab, 1869 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau122.jpg)
The Crab 1869
Oil Painting
$1917
$1917
Canvas Print
$71.87
$71.87
SKU: BWA-293
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 81 x 65.5 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 81 x 65.5 cm
Private Collection
![Brother and Sister, 1887 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau123.jpg)
Brother and Sister 1887
Oil Painting
$2293
$2293
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-294
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 179 x 80 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 179 x 80 cm
Private Collection
![Plums, 1896 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau124.jpg)
Plums 1896
Oil Painting
$1941
$1941
Canvas Print
$78.49
$78.49
SKU: BWA-295
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 96.5 x 60.5 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 96.5 x 60.5 cm
Private Collection
![Not too Much to Carry, 1895 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau125.jpg)
Not too Much to Carry 1895
Oil Painting
$2103
$2103
Canvas Print
$51.01
$51.01
SKU: BWA-296
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 112 x 76 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 112 x 76 cm
Private Collection
![Love on the Look Out, 1890 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau126.jpg)
Love on the Look Out 1890
Oil Painting
$2053
$2053
Canvas Print
$60.85
$60.85
SKU: BWA-297
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 116.9 x 76.9 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 116.9 x 76.9 cm
Private Collection
![The Prayer, 1865 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau127.jpg)
The Prayer 1865
Oil Painting
$1777
$1777
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-298
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Private Collection
![Before the Bath, 1900 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau128.jpg)
Before the Bath 1900
Oil Painting
$2077
$2077
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-299
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 134.5 x 75 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 134.5 x 75 cm
Private Collection
![Far from Home, 1867 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau129.jpg)
Far from Home 1867
Oil Painting
$3110
$3110
Canvas Print
$83.64
$83.64
SKU: BWA-300
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Private Collection
![A Moment's Rest, 1900 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau130.jpg)
A Moment's Rest 1900
Oil Painting
$2038
$2038
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-301
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 149.5 x 72.5 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 149.5 x 72.5 cm
Private Collection
![Inspiration, 1898 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau131.jpg)
Inspiration 1898
Oil Painting
$1794
$1794
Canvas Print
$60.55
$60.55
SKU: BWA-302
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio, USA
![Sewing, 1898 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau132.jpg)
Sewing 1898
Oil Painting
$1985
$1985
Canvas Print
$56.58
$56.58
SKU: BWA-303
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 115.5 x 71 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 115.5 x 71 cm
Private Collection
![Returned from the Fields, 1898 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau133.jpg)
Returned from the Fields 1898
Oil Painting
$2038
$2038
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-304
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 127.6 x 70.5 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 127.6 x 70.5 cm
Private Collection
![Apples, 1897 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau134.jpg)
Apples 1897
Oil Painting
$1794
$1794
Canvas Print
$85.20
$85.20
SKU: BWA-305
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 66 x 51.5 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 66 x 51.5 cm
Private Collection
![Little Girl with a Bouquet, 1896 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau135.jpg)
Little Girl with a Bouquet 1896
Oil Painting
$1757
$1757
Canvas Print
$89.51
$89.51
SKU: BWA-306
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 65.4 x 54.6 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 65.4 x 54.6 cm
Private Collection
![A Calling (Seated Girl Writing), 1896 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau136.jpg)
A Calling (Seated Girl Writing) 1896
Oil Painting
$2012
$2012
Canvas Print
$51.15
$51.15
SKU: BWA-307
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 104 x 71 cm
Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 104 x 71 cm
Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, USA
![Little Brother, 1902 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau137.jpg)
Little Brother 1902
Oil Painting
$2245
$2245
Canvas Print
$80.62
$80.62
SKU: BWA-308
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 137.2 x 92.7 cm
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, USA
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 137.2 x 92.7 cm
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, USA
![Compassion!, 1897 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau138.jpg)
Compassion! 1897
Oil Painting
$2617
$2617
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-309
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Private Collection
![The Difficult Lesson, 1884 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau139.jpg)
The Difficult Lesson 1884
Oil Painting
$1268
$1268
Canvas Print
$50.19
$50.19
SKU: BWA-310
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 97.8 x 66 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 97.8 x 66 cm
Private Collection
![Yvonne, 1896 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau140.jpg)
Yvonne 1896
Oil Painting
$1821
$1821
Canvas Print
$50.03
$50.03
SKU: BWA-311
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 87.5 x 54.4 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 87.5 x 54.4 cm
Private Collection
![Psyche, 1892 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau141.jpg)
Psyche 1892
Oil Painting
$1847
$1847
Canvas Print
$75.46
$75.46
SKU: BWA-312
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 107 x 65 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 107 x 65 cm
Private Collection
![Big Sis', 1886 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau142.jpg)
Big Sis' 1886
Oil Painting
$2245
$2245
Canvas Print
$81.15
$81.15
SKU: BWA-313
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Private Collection
![Biblis, 1884 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau143.jpg)
Biblis 1884
Oil Painting
$1961
$1961
Canvas Print
$77.60
$77.60
SKU: BWA-314
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 48 x 79 cm
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: 48 x 79 cm
Private Collection
![Bacchante, 1894 by Bouguereau | Painting Reproduction](https://cdn.topofart.com/images/artists/Adolphe-William_Bouguereau/paintings-lg/bouguereau144.jpg)
Bacchante 1894
Oil Painting
$1941
$1941
Canvas Print
$52.59
$52.59
SKU: BWA-315
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Private Collection
Adolphe-William Bouguereau
Original Size: unknown
Private Collection