Bouguereau and America

Bouguereau and America

William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905)

Overview

Wealthy Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries collected the works of William-Adolphe Bouguereau in large numbers, seeking to infuse their spaces with Gallic sophistication. This volume delves into Bouguereau's significant popularity in America at the turn of the century. It examines how his art, widely disseminated through reviews, exhibitions, and reproductions, connected with the American public. While also recognized in France, Bouguereau found his greatest commercial success selling idealized paintings to the American market. The book explores how his depictions of classical maidens, Madonnas, and peasant children appealed to Gilded Age tastes and served as contemporary Old Masters for affluent collectors.

Who it's for

• Collectors of 19th-century academic art.
• Readers interested in art history and the Gilded Age.
• Those exploring the transatlantic art market.

Key features

• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Pages: 192
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Year: 2019
• ISBN: 9780300241358