À La Fontaine 1897

"À La Fontaine", painted in 1897 by the French Academic artist William Bouguereau, depicts a touching scene of two young girls by a well. The elder girl, with her delicate features and flowing hair, pours water from a large earthenware jug into the cupped hands of the kneeling younger girl. The soft light and gentle expressions create a sense of peaceful innocence, capturing a quintessential moment of childhood and the simple pleasures of daily life. Bouguereau's meticulous attention to detail and realistic portrayal of figures are hallmarks of his style, which resonated with audiences during the late 19th century.