Dante and Virgil in Hell
1850
During the revolution of the Impressionist movement, Bouguereau's anachronistic style was viewed rather negatively by those who cheered for the novelty of the likes of Degas, who was himself a harsh critic of Bouguereau. Even today, when the triumph of Impressionism in contemporary critical circles is nearly complete, Academic art is viewed as the old guard of its time, unable to move and unable to adept. Yet to me the whole matter stinks of envy; Bouguereau was a genius in his own fashion, whose original popularity and crispness should never have been held against him.
The Rapture of Psyche
1895
Biblis
1884
The Madonna of Roses
1903
Birth of Venus
1879
Self-Portrait
1879
