After 1920, Bouguereau fell into disrepute, due in part to changing tastes.7 Comparing his work to that of his Realist and Impressionist contemporaries, Kenneth Clark faulted Bouguereau’s painting for “lubricity”, and characterized such Salon art as superficial, employing the “convention of smoothed-out form and waxen surface.”39
In 1974, the New York Cultural Center staged a show of Bouguereau’s work partly as a curiosity, although curator Robert Isaacson had his eye on the long-term rehabilitation of Bouguereau’s legacy and reputation.40 In 1984, the Borghi Gallery hosted a commercial show of 23 oil paintings and one drawing. In the same year a major exhibition was organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada. The exhibition opened at the Musée du Petit-Palais, in Paris, traveled to The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, and concluded in Montréal. More recently, resurgence in the artist’s popularity has been promoted by American collector Fred Ross, who owns a number of paintings by Bouguereau and features him on his website at Art Renewal Center.4142
Since 1975 prices for Bouguereau’s works have climbed steadily, with major paintings selling at high prices: $1,500,000 in 1998 for The Heart’s Awakening, $2,600,000 in 1999 for The Motherland and Charity at auction in May 2000 for $3,500,000. Bouguereau’s works are in many public collections.
Last time we were in the “national” museums in DC one major viewing area had a nice old bed frame and in a side room they were playing a video we could only describe as child porn. We watched for ~20 seconds and walked out of the room. Neither were art. And yet, there they were.
For one thing, I don’t feel like I need some ‘expert’ to tell me which artwork is good or great. I also don’t need to know all the brilliant techniques an artist uses in order to enjoy the art—although I can appreciate the skill that went into it. See? Confounding.
I also find that I enjoy American artists, such as Wyeth, Hopper, Homer, and Remington, way more than anything that came out of Europe. But everyone has their own tastes…so that’s confounding in a good way.
I don’t “get” abstract art, but I don’t hate it or look down on it, either. There’s room for everyone, artistically.
Consider: If every piece of art in the world cost exactly the same price, what artwork would you collect? That is, once you factor out hype and experts and connoisseurs and such, what would you buy to hang in your home and enjoy?
I see the point, I looked at the paintings and they actually look like something so that is why they were rejected in the first place. True art looks like a painters floor tarp.
Like anything else, the more you learn about something the better you can appreciate it. Some see Nascar as a bunch of cars in lines and the occasional crash; others can appreciate the sublties of positioning, pit strategies, etc. When I was in HS my Humanities book had a picture of a Mondrian work: at first to me it was just a bunch of lines and dots and colored squares. Then I read the title: “Broadway Boogie-woogie,” and it jumped at me: I got the lights, the cars, the noise and traffic and bustle. The fact that I remember the piece and the artist 40 years later tells you something. But other abstracts leave me cold. I’m more of an impressionist Monet-type, but again I don’t get the subtleties of light, shading, etc. I just think they’re pretty. While I also scorn big-eyed kids on velvet and Thomas Kinkade. De gustibus non est disputandum.
A Google Images search showed what I can only assume is a fair sampling of Bouguereau’s work, but it raises the question of why he almost never painted men?
Yeah, tastes change, and certain artists are “in” or “out” accordingly. Don’t fret; what you are guarding is “in” for now and that’s all that matters for now….
tonypezzano about 6 years ago
Looked up in Wikipedia and got this.
After 1920, Bouguereau fell into disrepute, due in part to changing tastes.7 Comparing his work to that of his Realist and Impressionist contemporaries, Kenneth Clark faulted Bouguereau’s painting for “lubricity”, and characterized such Salon art as superficial, employing the “convention of smoothed-out form and waxen surface.”39
In 1974, the New York Cultural Center staged a show of Bouguereau’s work partly as a curiosity, although curator Robert Isaacson had his eye on the long-term rehabilitation of Bouguereau’s legacy and reputation.40 In 1984, the Borghi Gallery hosted a commercial show of 23 oil paintings and one drawing. In the same year a major exhibition was organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada. The exhibition opened at the Musée du Petit-Palais, in Paris, traveled to The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, and concluded in Montréal. More recently, resurgence in the artist’s popularity has been promoted by American collector Fred Ross, who owns a number of paintings by Bouguereau and features him on his website at Art Renewal Center.4142
Since 1975 prices for Bouguereau’s works have climbed steadily, with major paintings selling at high prices: $1,500,000 in 1998 for The Heart’s Awakening, $2,600,000 in 1999 for The Motherland and Charity at auction in May 2000 for $3,500,000. Bouguereau’s works are in many public collections.
Tastes change back.
Say What Now‽ Premium Member about 6 years ago
If the art is behind the times or ahead of the times, it won’t get recognized. If it is actually good art, the time will come for it.
Lb about 6 years ago
I had to look that up. All the paintings are really impressive to me.
clayusmcret Premium Member about 6 years ago
Last time we were in the “national” museums in DC one major viewing area had a nice old bed frame and in a side room they were playing a video we could only describe as child porn. We watched for ~20 seconds and walked out of the room. Neither were art. And yet, there they were.
Sir Ruddy Blighter about 6 years ago
Art confounds me…
For one thing, I don’t feel like I need some ‘expert’ to tell me which artwork is good or great. I also don’t need to know all the brilliant techniques an artist uses in order to enjoy the art—although I can appreciate the skill that went into it. See? Confounding.
I also find that I enjoy American artists, such as Wyeth, Hopper, Homer, and Remington, way more than anything that came out of Europe. But everyone has their own tastes…so that’s confounding in a good way.
I don’t “get” abstract art, but I don’t hate it or look down on it, either. There’s room for everyone, artistically.
Consider: If every piece of art in the world cost exactly the same price, what artwork would you collect? That is, once you factor out hype and experts and connoisseurs and such, what would you buy to hang in your home and enjoy?
NeedaChuckle Premium Member about 6 years ago
I see the point, I looked at the paintings and they actually look like something so that is why they were rejected in the first place. True art looks like a painters floor tarp.
F-Flash about 6 years ago
I couldn’t even finger paint as a child, therefore I became a museum security guard.
steverinoCT about 6 years ago
Like anything else, the more you learn about something the better you can appreciate it. Some see Nascar as a bunch of cars in lines and the occasional crash; others can appreciate the sublties of positioning, pit strategies, etc. When I was in HS my Humanities book had a picture of a Mondrian work: at first to me it was just a bunch of lines and dots and colored squares. Then I read the title: “Broadway Boogie-woogie,” and it jumped at me: I got the lights, the cars, the noise and traffic and bustle. The fact that I remember the piece and the artist 40 years later tells you something. But other abstracts leave me cold. I’m more of an impressionist Monet-type, but again I don’t get the subtleties of light, shading, etc. I just think they’re pretty. While I also scorn big-eyed kids on velvet and Thomas Kinkade. De gustibus non est disputandum.
pschearer Premium Member about 6 years ago
A Google Images search showed what I can only assume is a fair sampling of Bouguereau’s work, but it raises the question of why he almost never painted men?
William Bednar Premium Member about 6 years ago
Well, don’t worry, the Culture Vultures will be in momentarily.
Sisyphos about 6 years ago
Yeah, tastes change, and certain artists are “in” or “out” accordingly. Don’t fret; what you are guarding is “in” for now and that’s all that matters for now….