The artwork, titled “Meditation,” is a portrait created by the renowned artist William-Adolphe Bouguereau in 1885. Executed in oil on canvas, the painting exemplifies the Academicism movement and measures 86.5 x 132 cm. It is housed at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska, United States.
In the artwork, a young girl is depicted sitting contemplatively on a stone block, her gaze directed slightly away from the viewer, evoking a sense of introspection. She is dressed in simple, rustic clothing, with a white blouse, a darker apron-like garment, and a long skirt. Her head is modestly covered with a yellow headscarf adorned with a subtle pattern. The purity and innocence of her expression are enhanced by Bouguereau’s precise and delicate brushwork, which captures the softness of her skin and the gentle texture of her attire. The background features a serene natural setting, a common element in Bouguereau’s compositions, providing a tranquil ambiance that complements the meditative mood of the subject. The mastery of light and shadow, combined with the detailed rendering of her features, highlights Bouguereau’s skill in portraying human emotion and the subtleties of the human form.
