“The Song of the Nightingale”
The oil painting “The Song of the Nightingale” was painted in 1895 by William Adolphe Bourguereau ("Dayton Art Institute"). The painting is approximately 55 x 235 inches ("Dayton Art Institute"). Bourguereau’s work depicts a young peasant woman at rest. As a Frenchman, Bourguereau endeavored to capture everyday people within his artwork.
The artist wishes to express a youthful, innocence with his depiction of this young lady with dreamy expression. Her beauty corresponds with the natural beauty of the landscape around her. Her plain clothing and bare feet speak of her humble place in society. I believe that the artist endeavored to capture a moment of innocence that is relevant to all of society.
Compositionally the figure of the woman takes up most of the foreground, and is vertical in nature. The woman’s pose is loose and natural. The background is relatively simple and serene, with a single nightingale occupies the upper corner that contributes to the story of the piece.
Bourguereau’s work although painted during a time very Impressionism was prevalent, relates more to Romanticism than Impressionism ("Dayton Art Institute"). The young woman is painted in a realism style yet the wistful, dreamy attention to beauty and nature are reminiscent of Romanticism. Bourguereau describes his work as, "the sincere study of nature, the search for the true and the beautiful." ("Dayton Art Institute") .One might argue that the woman is symbolic of nature itself.
In conclusion, “The Song of the Nightingale” is a beautiful piece of Romanticism. I was instantly drawn to the piece because of its naturalistic beauty and pleasing composition. The artist was successful in making an everyday woman an artistic expression of beauty through this work.
Bibliography:
, ed. "THE SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE." The Dayton Art Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov 2012.
