Standing man, presumed study for one of the monks of 'Saint Louis bringing the crown 

This is William Bouguereau’s sketch of a standing man, presumed to be a study for one of the monks in his painting ‘Saint Louis Bringing the Crown of Thorns to Paris'. Bouguereau made this drawing in 19th-century France, a time when artists aimed to revive classical ideals. This meant looking back to ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration, but also absorbing influences from the Italian Renaissance. The figure’s serene expression and simple monastic robes evoke timeless virtues. France at this time was ruled by an emperor, and the art institutions, like the Academy, were very powerful. An artist like Bouguereau had to make art that pleased the Academy if he wanted to be successful. In his paintings and drawings we see a conscious alignment with conservative tastes. To fully understand a work like this, we need to examine the period in which it was made and the institutions that shaped the artist. We need to consider not only what it represents, but also what it tells us about the social and cultural context of its creation.