On Bouguereau and Beauty
To capture female beauty in its quintessential form
requires both talent and a skill that’s far above the norm
and William Bouguereau who painted women nude by habit
of all the great French portrait painters definitely had it.
The texture of the glowing skin, the supple grace of limb,
the posing of the body came so naturally to him.
Though others tried to emulate and even to outclass,
before he died. although they tried, none ever could surpass.
Of his eight hundred paintings done of female figures nude,
none ever verged on pornographic, prurient or lewd.
The women that he painted are both beautiful and chaste
epitomising female form of beauty, grace and taste.
Amazingly, he seldom used live models for his art,
for women beautiful enough were few and far apart.
Hugh Wyles, February 23rd. 2009.
“Bather” by William Bouguereau 1870.
Author notes
William Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905). Now recognised as one
of the most important painters of his time, his portrayal of human form, (particularly the skin tones) and ability to capture grace of movement and the spiritual essence of his subjects, has been excelled by no other artist.
One of his paintings “Charite” which had commanded a price of $500 in 1950, sold at Christies in 2000 for more than $US 3,600,000.
He completed 826 paintings, half of them life-size.
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Comments
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Dear Hugh,
I've finally found the time in my busy schedule to comment on your wonderful poem with one of Bouguereau's delightful paintings. He brings the paintings to life, the skin tones are so real. I admire you so much my friend for the time you find to write such magnificent poetry, just keep writing them please as you would be missed.
Love Jen
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I've always adored the paintings of Bouguereau. Have you noticed how beautifully he did hands and feet? His flesh tones were as delicate as life's. It's wonderful to know that he's now honored by this fine sonnet.
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Dear Purrsanthema,
If you go to my list "Verse Inspired by Art" you will find a number of earlier poems inspired by paintings of William Bouguereau which you might enjoy reading.
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh.
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I love the sonnet; it is as graceful as the painting! And thank you for introducing me to the fine work of this painter. I really thought at first it was a photograph. But the skin tones are so luminscent. Once again I have had a beautiful moment set aside while reading your work. I am very grateful, dear Poet. Lita
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Dear Hugh,
Another wonderful portrait by William Adolphe Bouguereau, I always admire his paintings and love the way you bring them to life in poetry form.
Beautiful my friend.
Love Bea
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Portrait painters have always amazed me and I was unfamiliar with Bouguereau and am breathless from his talent.
Thank you for the art history lesson King Hugh in the form of a beautifully written poem.
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