The wonderful Bouguereau
 

I had to share the one artist who has inspired me to no end. His words above ring true to me every time I pick up my paint brush. I think his quote above speaks for itself, so I won't blab on and on about it! :-)

Hi Jennifer,

I too am greatly influenced by Bouguereau. In 1984 Montreal had a large exhibition of his work, and to see many of his works together, and large works I might add, was just spectacular to say the least! It was really a calling for me and a very moving experience I will never forget.

You might know these web sites, but if not, they are two of the best Bouguereau site around.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~frqnc23/framesen.html
http://www.artrenewal.org/

Best regards,
Steven

Steven,

I just visited the first of the two web sites for Bouguereau that you listed (I was aware of the second). What a treat. Wouldn't it be great to see his skills applied to contemporary themes and subjects? His drawings and color sensitivity is incredible.

Where can you find his original work and what has been published about him?

I don't know how this compare to the other sites, but there's quite a bit at Carol Jackson Presents at http://sunsite.dk/cgfa/bouguereau/index.html

She has a huge collection of art there and the home page is http://sunsite.dk/cgfa. In fact, she was one of the first sites on the web with a great collection of art and high quality images.

Jim,

not much has been published about him except for the catalogs of past exhibits which are very, very rare and hard to find. The only book that has recently come out which is very good is the one by Fronia E. Wissman titled Bouguereau. That one is very easy to find. Fred Ross from the art renewel web site will be publishing a catalog of Bouguereau very soon as well.

Cynthia,
I've had that web site bookmarked for quite a while, it is a great web site full of amazing works of art from well known Masters to the lesser known ones. That site is a keeper!

Thanks,
Steve

Steven, I am jealous! You are so lucky to have seen a show of his! What I wouldn't give to see one myself! There is something about standing in front of the original in all its incredible beauty that is much more inspiring than simply gazing at photographs of the work. I go to Holland every year and can't seem to NOT go to the museums there, so I can experience Rembrandt (another of my favorites!) first hand! The closer I get, the better! To see his brush strokes is to almost know the man!

Also, thanks for the great links to Bouguereau's sites! I bookmarked them already!

Surprise!
 

Jennifer, I think you will find that many good museums near you will have a Bouguereau. I've found them in some unlikely little musuems who didn't even appreciate what they had. I was knocked out by a large one at a small college museum in Oklahoma! He painted so much and was very popular in America. He still, is contrary to what New York modernist have been trying tell us for 85 years. Good hunting.

Jennifer,

I used to have a big poster of the painting you posted and had it hanging in my dorm room over 20 years ago. I bought it in the gift shop at a major museum but for the life of me, can't remember which one and have no idea where the poster went!

Anyway, even then I loved Bouguereau before I aspired to be a portrait artist. His skin tones are always so life like.

The wonderful Bouguereau
 

Hi Jennifer,

Whilst looking for information on Maxfield Parrish's painting and glazing techniques, I stumbled upon the first of the 2 Bouguereau sites. I am, for want of a better term, almost reduced to tears, by both the sheer mastery of his technique and my level of ignorance of his work. Do you know of any books or instruction on his method, particularily the beautiful naturalistic skin tones he uses?

I would be eternally grateful for any info.

Thanks again,
Patrick

Warning
 

I've been researching this too. For one thing his work looks great, still little cracking etc. unlike Sargent and other greats. The really informed guys say the "new found" book out about his work and methods may be mostly bunk. They say it doesn't sound even close. Beeswax, oil of Lavender (which smells great) and years of practice, and resins, oils, maybe two or 3 for each painting. I think these recipes are a bit like baking bread...having the ingredients and finding success (merely getting the mediums right) are two very different things.

Bouguereau recipes coming soon
 

There is a huge book out there of his work, besides the bluish/green one that everyone has. My friend found it and laser-copied/photocopied, cover-to-cover, its 200 or so pages for me. It is extremely hard to find. It has his mediums in there and his color palettes. He changed mediums and palettes 3 times - they found it in his sketch books. I painted one paintng with this medium he used. I BELIEVE it is the one. It has that look, the feeling of his paintings in a way. But it is highly toxic. I think it is worth it. I will post it tomorrow or tonight.

Steven,

That is true about the 1984 Bouguereau catalogue in Montreal. Very rare. I borrowed a copy when I was in the University of Toronto and they only had 2 copies. It would be cool if the publishers republish that catalog. :)

There is a Bouguereau in Beaux-Arts de Montreal of 2 girls, one putting a crown of flowers on the other. I think the title is "A Crown of Flowers" but I am not very sure. I always have to go see that painting to everytime I go there. Breathtaking!

There is also a painting (or a study) of a girl's head on AGO. (Art Gallery of Ontario.) The most amazing tones of colors were used. My jaw drops everytime I see it. Thanks for the 2 sites. I have never seen the first one.

Ah, yes, Boogy
 

I too appreciate this painter. His color is superb as is his draftsmanship; classical composition wonderful and handling is up there with the Mona Lisa. I prefer his more robust mythological scenes finding some of his others lacking in grandeur or drama. Truly amazing, nearly the best I think.

Even though Rembrandt's color is not as pearlescent, I pefer his paintings as far as the greats are concerned. His have a deep humanism where Bougyereau has an idealized, once removed spirituality.

In the same era there were many Impressionist canvases which gave everyday happenings a good amount of dignity while using very similar coloring. In my opinion, I think the Mona Lisa is the finest painting ever. Here is a portrait of a Western woman....her veil recently removed, with a gaze addressing the viewer and with confidence. Firm hands that can labor, yet she chooses to sit for the painter in this case. There is the unkempt landscape in the distance which contrasts with her supple features. As a crowning jewel she seems to move and interact with the viewer in a way only intimates do, with the eyes and subtle expressions. Totally uncanny and actually fearsome in many ways.

I have done two Bouguereau reproductions - one is attached below. I love his work - he was indeed a master and a much maligned master at that.

You can read Daniel David Parkhurst's book on painting online at the Art Renewal Site (http://www.artrenewal.org). Parkhurst was a student of Bouguereau.

Inspirational
 

My own personal theory is that Bouguereau inspired twentieth century art. His contemporaries obviously realized that when their work was compared to his, they would fall so remarkably short, that they secretly conspired to reverse the rules. Thus turning a two dimensional surface into a two dimensional surface became the goal of modern aRT. There is absolutely no evidence as to the veracity of this theory of mine but as a strong believer in conspiracies I think it rings true.

Marvin,

I have the same idea behind modern art too. I realize that when I was in university and have seen students, even teachers not possessing any once of skill in draughtsmanship.

With modern art as it is today, anybody could be an artist.

Marvin
 

I have no problem with that idea. Anti-fine art movement-that's pretty much what it became.

Pallette
 

Hi, I just discovered this thread and his work. Does anyone have a list of colors in his pallette? Could you post it? I love the very soft tones in his painting and would like to try it out. Currently I'm working on a figurative piece that started out fairly impressionistic, but it seems Bouguereau has entered into my subconsious and it is transforming itself into a much softer version. Its time to acknowledge what my alter ego is saying and learn something consciously. I've been to both sites mentioned earlier and have been reading but need to be painting too. Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

Jean

Alas
 

I fear it's not his palette or brushes...ahh that it were.

Not fair, Tim
 

Specifically, what I'm looking for is advice in mixing the soft soft colors. I know that this won't happen overnight. To soften a particular color do I add its complement or lighten it with white, add an earth tone, or add grey or black? Is it time for a color wheel? Is there a particular book that can guide the mixing of landscape colors, or color mixing in general. Time to place a painting in front of me and just mix colors till I've made them all! Study with a master? All of the above? Or write a new book, "How to paint like the master's in 24 hours or less".

I am serious though, even if I am kidding around. Where would you guide a fledgling?

Jean

Jean,

Artrenewal.org has an article called "Bouguereau at work". The last page appears to outline his pallette.

Jeff
 

This is what I was looking for. Thanks for directing me. I had started to read this article before but never finished (interrupted), I'm glad you guided me back to it.:sunnysmil

Jean

Truth
 

Well Jean,

I've seen dozens of palettes from many a good and great painter and that really is not the answer. The answer to painting like Bouguereau is painting from life - hundreds of paintings from the live model. It also helps to know about mediums and varnishes and glazing techniques. It is great work to look especially fun in person.

Milwaukee Art Museum
 

Evidently there is a Bougeureau at the Milwakee Art Museum. Tom (husband) and I are going to go see it soon. Since discovering him I've decided I have to see these up close and personal. I'm so glad this site exists. It has opened my eyes to a whole new world.

Jean

Jean,

Tim is right, it takes hundreds of paintings and many, many years of life drawing to even dream of getting close to the quality of the Master Bouguereau (lets not forget the raw talent and interest one has to be born with).

Here is my advice to becoming the best "Master" painter you can be. Find the best "master" nearest to you and ask if they can offer you private lessons (expensive but priceless). Visit the museum every day and study every painting very closely, know them inside out. Read, read and read more about all the past Masters and how they painted. Collect as much information possible and keep it close by when painting. Make copies of their paintings from the best print you can find, or from the actual painting if you're lucky.

Be ready to make thousands of mistakes and correct them to the best of your abilities. Unfortunately there is no quick way to paint like the Masters, there are many books and articles on the internet that can explain the methods which help quite a bit but what it comes down to is practice, practice and practice more, now I must get back to practicing what I'm preaching, good luck.

Steve

Amazon.com has a wonderful book titled "Bouguereau" by Fronia E. Wissman. The book is 6" x 9" with tons of beautiful large size pictures and wonderful narrative. Since I really enjoyed reading it I thought some of you might too.

Admin note: You can find this book here: http://www.portraitartist.com/bookst...-after1800.htm

Grace
 

Another thing that struck me about his work is the unaffected grace of his compositions. Every single line is beautiful and exactly where it belongs, without appearing posed. I admire this quality.

Steven, thanks for your plan for my future. I will be following as much of it as humanly possible. I have high aspirations.

Enzie, It's nice to see you back, I've missed you. I've already seen the book and it's on the "list" also.

Jean

Jean,

Apart from many hours of studio practice on W.B's hands, you might wish to look into the "ghost", formed by scraping down on an oil painting. Also see W.B's earlier work, before he was forty, especially any unfinished work. (There is a "ghost" in the Cartoon practice as well.)

His oil studies and oil sketches were very finished, so like the practice today of working off of photographs, he could work off of his studies. Due to the superiority of taste he had in his studies, he avoided the pitfalls brought on when using photographs.

From what I can see, W.B. is a direct link in the line of established painter's practices, starting with Titian, and coming through Rubens, Van Dyck, Vermeer and temporarily ending at Bouguereau.

Unless a museum prints which pigments were found in an oil painting by scientific means, beware of past accounts of what is in the paint layer.)

Time to take the baton back up.