The Young Shepherdess is an 1885 painting by the French painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905). It is owned by the San Diego Museum of Art.

The Young Shepherdess
French: La jeune bergère
ArtistWilliam-Adolphe Bouguereau
Year1885 (1885)
Dimensions157.5 cm × 72.4 cm (62.0 in × 28.5 in)
LocationSan Diego Museum of Art

Overview

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The painting depicts a barefoot young woman in peasant clothing, turned away from but still facing the viewer. She holds a plant in her hands. See also The Shepherdess, a similar painting by the same artist.

This and similar images by the artist attracted collectors in Europe and America because of their nostalgic content.[1] In such works the artist depicted a variety of poses and expressions, in this case showing the mild curiosity of the girl.[2]

In portraying a shepherdess Bouguereau is working within the pastoral mode or theme, as developed by ancient Greek and Hellenistic artists and poets. French painters who preceded him in this include Claude Lorrain, Poussin, and Watteau.

See also

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  • File:Jeune bergère, 1868 painting with a nearly identical name, also by Bouguereau

References

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  1. ^ "Frick Art & Historical Center | Past Exhibitions | In The Studios of Paris WILLIAM BOUGUEREAU His American Students". frickart.org. Archived from the original on 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
  2. ^ [1][dead link]
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