The artwork titled “Portrait of a Young Girl” is a creation of William-Adolphe Bouguereau, executed in oil on canvas within the Academicism art movement. This portrait, which measures 36.8 x 44.5 cm, falls within the genre of portraits and is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a young girl with soft, delicate features set against a dark, undefined background. The girl’s complexion is rendered with meticulous care, showcasing a luminous, almost ethereal quality that highlights Bouguereau’s skill in capturing the subtleties of human skin tones. Her eyes are expressive, conveying a sense of innocence and depth, and her wavy hair frames her face gracefully, adding a dynamic contrast to the otherwise serene composition. She wears a simple outfit with a dark, sleeveless outer garment atop a lighter, long-sleeved shirt, which further emphasizes her tender youthfulness. The artist’s masterful use of light and shadow adds dimensionality to her form, creating a realistic yet idealized portrayal that reflects the classical tendencies of Academicism. This painting exemplifies Bouguereau’s ability to blend technical precision with emotional resonance, making it a quintessential example of his portrait work.
