ADOLPHE-WILLIAM BOUGUEREAU (French Impressionist Painter)
The truly great artists of our world did not just create a work of art, they created a feeling. Whether it be in the smile of the Mona Lisa or the sweet face of a child contained in a portrait by Adolpe-William Bouguereau. Bouguereau possessed the same painting technique as others of his time, but more importantly he conveyed a tenderness in portraying his subjects that elevates his status to a painting master.
Born in France in 1825, as a young man of little means, Bougurereau put himself through the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts through other work such as keeping the books for a wine merchant and coloring lithographic labels for a local grocer. In the evenings, he would return to his room and reproduce drawings of great works from memory to practice his craft.
Eventually this hard work and diligence led him to begin painting original works which won him much success and financial freedom. He was a prolific artist and produced more than seven hunderd finished works in his lifetime. One of the apparent secrets to his great success seemed to be his work ethic. He spent much time in study of the great classical forms of sculpture and painting. And before ever embarking on a painting, he would first research thoroughly the history of his subject and then complete numerous sketches before beginning his final work.
Although successful, Bouguereau seemed to possess the same tender qualities that came out in his work, as he secretly would help financially and through mentoring, many young and struggling artists. This quality of compassion along with his artistic love of rich color and subject helped to produce an exquisite collection of great works.
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