Optional - receive your painting ready to hang. Note we are only able to ship framed paintings up to a certain size. Once the maximum size is reached, the framing option is automatically disabled. If ordered without a frame the painting will arrive rolled inside a protective tube with an extra 1.5" white canvas on all sides so you can easily frame it in any local frame shop.
William-Adolphe Bouguereau concluded the pastoral painting entitled The Shepherdess in 1873. The Classical artist depicted a peaceful scene with oil paint on a long vertical canvas, where a shepherdess walks alongside her sheep, holding a lamb in her arms. This theme derives from the ancient Greek artists, especially from the Hellenistic period. Other French painters who came before him worked with the subject, like Claude Lorrain, and Nicolas Poussin from the Baroque period, as well as Jean-Antoine Watteau from the Rococo.
Raphael, the Italian Renaissance painter, was a significant influence for Bouguereau, and he studied the past master’s art with rigor. The artist followed the strict technical style and developed a classical approach to composition and form. The central themes the artist portrayed were mythological, but with a more modern interpretation. Bouguereau’s artwork mostly depicted a beautiful and almost magical world of nymphs, nude goddesses, madonnas, bathers, and shepherdesses – popular amongst the rich art patrons of the time. The painter was praised by the critics for his technical precision, especially when it came to human anatomy. Bouguereau was also featured in the Paris Salon throughout his career and sold his painting all over Europe and America.
The painting The Shepherdess initially grabs attention because of its sheer size. The composition was beautifully thought out, guiding the viewer’s eyes from the shepherdess’ face, down to the animals, and finally at her bare feet. The figure’s skin is as soft as porcelain, as an almost divine light shines upon the figures. She is facing downward at the sheep that follow her on her path, as it looks up at the baby lamb in her lap. The shepherdess holds the little lamb with care, and her gentle hands were beautifully positioned over the white infant. Bouguereau inserts brighter colors in the model’s clothing; a red bandana over her orange hair, a light brown decorated scarf on her shoulders, and a velvety dark blue and purple dress. The artist approaches this scene almost with a biblical aspect, as the shepherdess is illuminated like a holy image. The vegetation surrounding them is realistically portrayed, although idealized. Bouguereau contrasts the bright figures with dark green trees in the background and gives great detail to the textures and folds of fabric.
Real Oil Paints, Real Brushes, Real Artists, Real Art. The Certificate of Authenticity which arrives with every painting provides an assurance and verifies the authenticity of the hand painted fine art reproduction you purchased. Each oil painting is created by hand using only the finest canvas and oil paints available.
Important Notes About Your Painting:
If you have any request to alter your reproduction of The Shepherdess 1873 165.1x87.6cm,
you must email us after placing your order and we'll have an artist contact you.
If you have another image of The Shepherdess 1873 165.1x87.6cm
that you would like the artist to work from, please include it as an attachment. Otherwise, we will reproduce the above image for you exactly as it is.
Free shipping is included in the price of the painting. Once the painting is ready and dry enough to ship, we will roll it and ship it in a sturdy cardboard tube.
We always ship express via courier to ensure your order reaches you as soon as possible - normally within three business days. The total delivery time from the moment you place your order until the package is delivered to your door is normally between three to four weeks.
If, in the unlikely event you were dissatisfied with the painting after reviewing it in person, it can be returned for a full refund for up to 365 days after delivery.
When you receive the painting; you are free to return it for more revisions or else for a full refund minus our actual shipping cost -- which is, on average, $25 per painting.
1st Art Gallery provides a full warranty covering manufacturing and material defects for paintings purchased from our website. The warranty covers damage for normal use. Damage caused by incidents such as accidents or inappropriate use are not covered.
Depending on the degree of damage to the warranted painting, it will either be repaired or replaced. This warranty service is provided free of charge.
When purchasing a painting on its own, it will arrive rolled inside a secure plastic tube with an extra 1.5" of white canvas on all sides so you can easily frame it in any local frame shop.
You may choose to purchase your painting framed, in which case, it will arrive "ready to hang". We offer more than 20 beautiful models, all hand finished and expertly assembled by our experienced framers.
Note that for safety reasons we can only frame up to a certain size. Once the maximum size is reached the framing option is automatically disabled.