Harvester (1875) by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (original) (raw)

“Harvester,” an artwork by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, painted in 1875, exemplifies the Academicism art movement. Created using oil on canvas, this portrait measures 63 x 140 cm and is located at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The artwork is an exquisite portrayal of a young girl, who is most likely engaged in the act of harvesting. She is depicted with a serene yet slightly melancholic expression, her gaze directly meeting the viewer’s eyes. Dressed in modest peasant attire, she carries a wooden basket brimming with freshly picked grapes. The artist’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the rendering of her skin, the texture of her dress, and the sheen on the grapes, which evoke a lifelike presence. Her red headscarf contrasts vividly with the earthy tones of the background, which is rich with foliage and shadows, adding depth and dimension to the scene. Bouguereau’s mastery in the use of light and shadow enhances the realism and highlights the delicate features of the girl, making “Harvester” an exemplary piece of academic portrait painting.