William Bouguereau (entourage De) - The Little Grape Harvester

William Bouguereau (Circle of) La Rochelle, 1825 – La Rochelle, 1905 The Little Grape Harvester Oil on canvas 54 x 38 cm (64 x 48 cm with frame) Beautiful 19th-century giltwood frame Good condition The theme of the grape harvester inspired the painter William Bouguereau (see his beautiful painting at the Ny Carlseberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen), and his students as well, notably the Frenchman Léon Perrault, the American Elisabeth Gardner, and the Englishman Edward John Corbett. Our painting is in the vein of these numerous portraits painted by Bouguereau of barefoot young girls posing in nature. With a pensive, even melancholic, gaze that is also characteristic (several of his paintings are even titled "Meditation"). Our painting possesses great charm, particularly with its beautiful light. It certainly bears the mark of a master, although it does not appear entirely finished. We can see pencil strokes here and there. The glazes are very fine, the light effects are remarkably well applied, and the modeling of some parts is remarkable (the arms and feet, for example), while other parts are a little flat (the hands and face, for example).