“The Serious” is an oil painting on canvas created by William-Adolphe Bouguereau in 1905. This artwork, measuring 95.8 by 65.4 centimeters, belongs to the Academicism art movement and falls under the genre of portraiture.
The artwork portrays a young girl seated with her arms crossed over her knees, gazing directly at the viewer with an expression of intense contemplation. Her attire is simple, consisting of a white blouse and a blue skirt, indicative of the period and possibly her socio-economic status. The background is modest, featuring an earthy setting with a yellow jug positioned behind her, adding a domestic touch to the scene. Bouguereau’s masterful use of light and shadow highlights the girl’s delicate features and the textures of her clothing, exemplifying his technical prowess and attention to detail.
