Cupidon 1891

William Bouguereau created this painting of Cupidon with oil on canvas. Bouguereau was a master of academic painting, a style that prized illusionism above all else. He built up the image through careful layers of paint. The technique is called "glazing." By applying many thin coats, Bouguereau achieved a luminous effect, particularly visible in Cupid's skin, which looks almost like porcelain. Note the smooth transitions between light and shadow, which give the figure a three-dimensional presence. Cupid's delicate features and soft expression are enhanced by Bouguereau's mastery of the medium, each layer contributing to the final, polished effect. Bouguereau’s paintings were highly sought after. In his time, his technical virtuosity was considered the height of artistic achievement. Considering the skill and labor that went into this work, we get a sense of the immense cultural value placed on paintings during this period.