The artwork, titled “Gleaners,” was painted by William-Adolphe Bouguereau in 1894. Executed in oil on canvas, it exemplifies the Academicism art movement. The painting, which measures 106.7 x 65 cm, falls within the genre of portraiture and is currently held in a private collection.
In the artwork, we observe a young woman depicted in the act of gleaning, a practice of collecting leftover crops from fields after the harvest. The composition captures her in a side profile, holding a handful of wheat, stood against an expansive background of rural landscape that stretches out to the horizon. The artist has rendered the subject with meticulous attention to detail, exhibiting her serene and contemplative demeanor. Bouguereau’s realistic portrayal is characteristic of Academicism, emphasizing polished technique and classical beauty. The delicate interplay of light upon her skin and clothing underscores the artist’s mastery in capturing the subtleties of texture and atmosphere. The serene sky and distant hills contribute to the idyllic pastoral setting, further enhancing the timeless quality of the piece.
