The artwork, titled “A Young Woman in Breton Costume, Kneeling,” is a graphite sketch on paper by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, created within the Academicism art movement. This study piece measures 32 by 25 centimeters and belongs to the genre of sketches and studies.
In the artwork, a young woman is depicted in traditional Breton attire, captured in a kneeling posture. The artist employs delicate graphite lines to render her clothing and stance with gentle precision. Her garment, indicative of regional dress, flows gracefully as she kneels, holding an object that is subtly suggested by the soft shading and line work. The modest detailing emphasizes form and posture, focusing on the serene and contemplative nature of the subject. The overall composition is simplistic yet meticulously crafted, reflecting Bouguereau’s adeptness in the academic style that promotes detailed, realistic representations.
