The Younger Brother (Translation)
Le jeune frere (Primary Title)
William-Adolphe Bouguereau, French, 1825 - 1905 (Artist)
In this work, we are confronted with a strikingly beautiful young woman who gently holds a young boy on her lap as she sits on a rocky ledge. Bouguereau painted The Younger Brother just two years before his death, after having enjoyed a long career as both a successful artist and influential teacher. He is considered the greatest master of French academic realism, and this work is an excellent example of how the artist’s attention to detail is extremely naturalistic, while at the same time idealized. The figures are in a rustic outdoor setting; the slightly wild landscape is more softly focused that the figures of the sister and brother, who are in a casual but loving pose. The woman gazes adoringly at the child, who in turn gazes directly at the viewer. Her garment seems vaguely classical, imbuing the image with a certain timelessness that transcends the problems of modern life..
Signed and dated lower right: W Bouguereau 1903
Gift of Mrs. William A. Willingham
1980: "Paris in the Bell Epoque: People and Places", Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL, March 1- April 6, 1980.
1978: "Degas", VMFA, may 23 - July 9, 1978
1978: "French 19th Century Paintings and Sculpture", Roanoke Museum of Fine Arts, February 11 - March 12, 1978
1967-68: "The Human Gifure in Art", Artmobile exhibition, February 1967 - January 1968.
1978: "Degas", VMFA, may 23 - July 9, 1978
1978: "French 19th Century Paintings and Sculpture", Roanoke Museum of Fine Arts, February 11 - March 12, 1978
1967-68: "The Human Gifure in Art", Artmobile exhibition, February 1967 - January 1968.
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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