Thirst 1886

William Bouguereau painted ‘Thirst’ in France sometime in the late 19th century, using oil on canvas. Bouguereau's paintings, celebrated at the time, typically depict idealized scenes of peasant life. In this image, the young woman pauses to drink, her bare feet and simple clothing marking her as part of the rural working class. The painting reflects a nostalgic view of rural life, which was common among academic artists in France at the time. These artists, supported by institutions like the École des Beaux-Arts, often sought to preserve traditional values and aesthetics in the face of rapid industrialization and social change. Bouguereau's work invites us to consider the social values and cultural anxieties of 19th-century France, and the role of art in shaping those perceptions. To fully understand this, research into the French Academy’s relationship to the state, along with studies into French economic history would be invaluable.