The artwork titled “The Younger Brother,” created in 1900 by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, is an oil painting on canvas. Measuring 73 x 100 cm, it is a notable example of Academicism, rendered with exquisite attention to detail and realism. This portrait genre piece is currently held in a private collection.
In the artwork, a young girl is depicted holding an infant in her arms. The girl is dressed in a flowing white garment, adorned with a crown of leaves on her head. She gazes affectionately at the infant, who is shown with cherubic features, including curly blonde hair. The serene backdrop of lush greenery and soft lighting further emphasizes the tender and intimate moment shared between the siblings. Bouguereau’s masterful technique is evident in the lifelike texture of the skin and the delicate rendering of the fabric and foliage, making the piece a quintessential representation of his academic style.
