Meditation 1902

"Meditation" was painted by William Bouguereau, we don't know exactly when, and it’s oil on canvas. Bouguereau’s approach to making art seems all about controlling the paint. You see this super smooth surface. It feels very different to my own work where I'm trying to let the paint lead the way. In this picture, the details are almost photographic. Look at her hands – see how softly the light falls on them. The pinks and creams create this gentle, dreamy feeling. It’s like he’s not just painting a woman, but an idea of beauty. The way he blends the colors makes it hard to see the brushstrokes. It’s like he wants to hide the process, to make it look effortless. I am reminded a little of Gerhard Richter, who also explored the relationship between painting and photography, but ultimately, Bouguereau’s emphasis is on an idealized kind of beauty. And art is all about how differently we all see, isn't it?