Elpieglerie 1895

William Bouguereau painted Elpieglerie in oil on canvas; the date is unknown, but it’s characteristic of his work during the latter half of the 19th century. Bouguereau was a staunch academic painter in France, upholding traditional techniques and subjects against the rising tide of modern art. He was very popular, particularly in America, where wealthy industrialists bought his paintings of idealized peasants and mythological scenes. Looking at this painting, we see echoes of Renaissance portraiture in the careful modeling of the figure and the subdued background. The title, ‘Elpieglerie,’ suggests playful mischief, but what kind? The girl’s gaze seems coquettish, perhaps echoing the artist’s broader idealization of women as objects of beauty. The art world has changed since Bouguereau's time. Today, art historians consult a range of sources to better understand paintings like this, from exhibition reviews and market data to feminist theory and postcolonial studies. The value we place on art changes with its social and institutional context.