William Adolphe Bouguereau

Artist Biography

William-Adolphe Bouguereau studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Art from 1843 and 1850 and won the Prix de Rome upon finishing his training. Upon his return to France, he decorated several houses with the inspiration deriving from the frescoes in Pompeii. Bouguereau was given a medal of honor at an exhibition of his art, prints and posters in Paris in 1878 and again at the 1885 Salon.

As the Impressionist style was developing, he held fast to the traditional values of French art and retained Classical, mythological, and allegorical subject matters. Bouguereau's art, prints and posters contained the conservative ideas that Impressionist movement hoped to stifle.

Although successful, Bouguereau seemed to possess the same tender qualities that came out in his art, prints and posters, 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.

William Adolphe Bouguereau Art, Prints and Posters Collection