In this large piece titled  la naissance de Venus c1879, The birth of venus, Venus the goddess of love can be seen standing in an oyster shell having emerged from the sea as a full grown woman. This piece is not a depiction of the actual birth but of her being transported across the water on the oyster shell. She is surrounded by her subjects and a chorus of cherubs celebrate her arrival. She has an innocent yet sensually seductive look about her as she is being admired by the nymphs and Centaurs who wait around her. The cherub sitting on the dolphin stares up admiringly as Venus gently teases her hair with her hands. The beautiful young nymph behind him stares up at Venus with an equally alluring glance recognising the out standing beauty of the goddess before her. Centaurs use conch shells to trumpet her arrival while another gazes upon her from behind.

This painting is a brilliant example of William Bouguereau's  knowledge, understanding and skill when portraying the human body. His use of line and colour produce an almost photo like depiction of his subjects portraying not only their character but their physical presence aswell.

I have noticed through out my research of Bouguereau's work the similarity and use of certain subjects in some of his paintings. In this piece dated 1879 he has portrayed Venus in an almost identical pose to that of a nymph standing to the left of another large piece titled Nymphaem (1878) who is also playing with her hair.

                 The above account is my interpretation of the work and should in no way be taken as fact.

 

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