“At the Edge of the Brook” by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

“At the Edge of the Brook”

This lovely oil on canvas painting is by the French Academic artist, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, from 1879 and is called “At the Edge of the Brook”. This is one of the many portraits of peasant children that Bouguereau had done in the academic style popular in France in the mid to late-nineteenth century (see “Fishing for Frogs“). This is one of two paintings he did that had the same name.

Bouguereau had a lot of empathy for the hard-working life of the peasants of his country. In his work, he sought to soften the harsh criticism that they commonly endured. Bouguereau had a talent for beautifying the sitter while retaining their likeness, and this painting highlights that skill.

Though Bouguereau‘s style was realistic, his subjects were generally mythological and classical. It was for this reason that he was hated and loved during his lifetime. Many critics applauded his talent and reverence for classical subjects, while the up-and-coming Impressionist artists saw him and his work as old-fashioned.

“At the Edge of the Brook” is currently in a private collection.

For more on William-Adolphe Bouguereau, please visit his short biography here.

You can find more artists to learn about here.