William Bouguereau (French, 1825-1905). <em>The Elder Sister, reduction (La soeur aînée, réduction)</em>, ca. 1864. Oil on panel, 21 7/8 x 17 15/16 in. (55.6 x 45.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of William H. Herriman, 21.99 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 21.99_PS9.jpg)

William Bouguereau (French, 1825-1905). The Elder Sister, reduction (La soeur aînée, réduction), ca. 1864. Oil on panel, 21 7/8 x 17 15/16 in. (55.6 x 45.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of William H. Herriman, 21.99 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 21.99_PS9.jpg)

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The Elder Sister, reduction (La soeur aînée, réduction)

William Bouguereau

European Art

An academic painter who had achieved great success in the Paris Salon with mythological, historical, and religious subjects, Bouguereau later turned to genre scenes such as this image of a young woman caring for her younger brother. Although the figures are defined as siblings in the title, Bouguereau evokes the Madonna and Child with a tender pose—much like that seen in the altarpieces on the opposite wall—and the Catholic rosary beads in the child’s hand. Moreover, scholars have linked Bouguereau’s composition and the dark, dreamy look of the girl to the Sistine Madonna by Raphael. Bouguereau’s works appealed to a middle-class clientele—both French and American—that cherished Christian and domestic values. This “reduction” is one of at least two known versions that Bouguereau painted after a larger subject displayed in the Salon of 1867.

ARTIST William Bouguereau, French, 1825-1905

MEDIUM Oil on panel

Place Made: Europe

DATES ca. 1864

DIMENSIONS 21 7/8 x 17 15/16 in. (55.6 x 45.6 cm) Frame: 29 3/4 x 25 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. (75.6 x 64.8 x 11.4 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Signed lower right on chest: "W Bouguereau"

COLLECTIONS European Art

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

ACCESSION NUMBER 21.99

CREDIT LINE Bequest of William H. Herriman

RIGHTS STATEMENT No known copyright restrictions

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CAPTION William Bouguereau (French, 1825-1905). The Elder Sister, reduction (La soeur aînée, réduction), ca. 1864. Oil on panel, 21 7/8 x 17 15/16 in. (55.6 x 45.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of William H. Herriman, 21.99 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 21.99_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 21.99_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015

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