Seated Nude 1884

This Seated Nude was painted by William Bouguereau, using oil on canvas, in the academic style for which he was known. Bouguereau was celebrated in his own time for his technically brilliant paintings. Look closely at the flawless, almost porcelain finish, and the incredible smoothness of the skin. Such a high degree of finish did not come easily. Bouguereau would have spent a great deal of time preparing his canvas, applying layer upon layer of paint, and then carefully blending everything together. The effect is undeniably impressive, but it’s worth remembering that this kind of virtuosity was also a form of labor – a commodity produced in a competitive marketplace. In its own way, this “high art” product is as related to the industrial revolution as any factory-made object. Understanding these historical factors allows us to more fully appreciate the many layers of meaning embodied in this work.