The artwork titled “The Nut Gatherers,” created by William-Adolphe Bouguereau in 1882, is an exemplary piece of Academicism rendered in oil on canvas. Measuring 134 by 87.5 centimeters, this genre painting is housed in the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, Michigan, United States.
The artwork depicts two young girls, depicted with meticulous realism, engaged in the innocent activity of gathering nuts. One girl, positioned on the ground, gazes affectionately towards her companion, who is holding a small pile of nuts. The surrounding foliage forms a verdant backdrop, contributing to the serene and pastoral atmosphere of the scene. Bouguereau’s use of soft light and gentle colors enhances the intimate and tender moment shared by the two children, embodying the artist’s mastery in capturing the subtleties of human emotion and natural beauty.