The Price List
- Original dimensions
- 56.2 x 115.6 cm
- Museum
- Not specified
- Year
- 1901
Scene depicted
At the heart of this painting , we discover a young girl immersed in reading, a true hymn to intellectual curiosity and childhood innocence. Bouguereau elevates this simple daily scene with meticulous attention to detail and textures, making the light almost tangible and the skin of the characters radiant with life.
Historical context
Work : Le livre de prix |BRK| Artist : William-Adolphe Bouguereau |BRK| Year : 1901 |BRK| Museum : Not specified |BRK| Dimensions : 56.2 x 115.6 cm |BRK|
Place in the artist's career
“Le livre de prix” marks a turning point in Bouguereau’s career, showcasing his technical virtuosity and ability to capture emotions. Placed alongside other iconic works such as “La Jeunesse de Bacchus” and “Les Petites Gouttes”, it demonstrates a perfect evolution, both in mastery of lighting and in the depth of conveyed feelings.
Anecdote
“Inspiration can arise from a fleeting encounter or a light that adorns everyday scenes.” This phrase could evoke a spring morning when Bouguereau, strolling along the Seine quays, paused on the portrait of a child flipping through a book. This fleeting moment gave life to the evocative power of “Le livre de prix”, capturing the gentle melancholy and tenderness of childhood memories.