La Première Discorde 1861

"La Première Discorde" (1861) by William Bouguereau portrays a poignant scene of a mother consoling her two young children. The woman, draped in a white cloth, holds a sleeping infant in her arms while the other child gazes at her with a mournful expression. Bouguereau's masterful use of light and shadow emphasizes the tender embrace between the mother and her children. The realism of the figures and their emotional vulnerability exemplifies the artist's academic style. This painting showcases the enduring theme of motherhood and the power of familial bonds, resonating with viewers across generations.