“Zenobia found by shepherds on the banks of the Araxes” is an artwork by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, painted in 1850 using oil and brass. This piece, measuring 118 x 148 cm, belongs to the Academicism art movement and is classified as a religious painting.
The artwork vividly captures a dramatic and poignant scene, depicting shepherds discovering the figure of Zenobia by the banks of the river Araxes. Bouguereau’s exceptional mastery of form and composition is evident in the detailed and lifelike representations of the human figures. The shepherds, rendered with muscular precision and posed with a sense of immediacy and tender concern, surround the central figure of Zenobia. She is portrayed in repose, elegantly draped in flowing garments that hint at her regal status and tragic circumstance. The backdrop juxtaposes serene, bucolic scenery with the emotional intensity of the moment, creating a powerful visual narrative. The use of light and shadow accentuates the characters’ gestures and expressions, enhancing the overall dramatic effect of this classical composition.
