“Little Beggar” is an evocative oil painting on canvas created by William-Adolphe Bouguereau in 1890. The artwork, framed within the movements of Academicism and Naturalism, is a portrait genre that measures 93.5 by 161 centimeters. Currently located at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, this masterful piece showcases Bouguereau’s meticulous attention to detail and profound ability to capture human emotion.
The artwork depicts two young girls, modestly dressed, standing barefoot against the light background of a building’s entrance. The older girl, wearing a headscarf, holds a basket with one hand and a walking stick with the other, her demeanor calm and composed. Beside her stands the younger girl, clutching a drawstring bag close to her chest, her expression somber and thoughtful. The remarkable detailing in their attire, combined with the tender portrayal of their tired yet gentle expressions, reflects both their vulnerability and resilience. The interplay of light and shadow, along with the delicate rendering of texture and form, is indicative of Bouguereau’s technical prowess and his empathetic approach to capturing the essence of his subjects.
