Pieta [Oil on canvas, 90 1/2 x 58 1/4 inches (230 x 148 cm), Dallas Museum of FineArts, Dallas, Texas, USA]   The weeping Mary cloaked in a robe of black, mourning the death of her sonJesus, whom she clutches to her chest, is a religious masterpiece.The dead body of Jesus hangs limply in her arms while eight weeping angelssurround them.The angels are clad in the colors of the rainbow and create ..

Nymphs and Satyr  [Oil on canvas, 102 1/4 x 70 3/4 inches (260 x 180 cm), Sterling andFrancine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA]   Four nymphs tease and play with a satyr by trying to pull him into a lake.One nymph waves behind to three other nymphs in the distance, perhapsbeckoning them to come and play with the satyr as well.The satyr half heartedly tries to resist the nym..

Portrait of Gabrielle Cot  [Oil on canvas, 17 7/8 x 14 7/8 inches (45.5 x 38 cm), Collection of Fred andSherry Ross, USA]   Note by ARC Chairman, Fred Ross:This magnificent portrait has been judged by a number of top experts andmaster artists, to be one of the greatest portrait heads ever painted... byany artist ... ever.Gabriel Cot was the daughter of Bouguereau’s most famous student, PierreAug..

Cupid and Psyche as Children [Oil on canvas, 47 x 27 7/8 inches (119.5 x 71 cm), Private collection]   The story of Cupid and Psyche was one of Bouguereau’s favorite myths.He painted several works inspired from this legend, such as The Rapture ofPsyche, Psyche and Cupid, and Psyche.The myth of Cupid and Phsyche first appears written in The Golden Age ofLucius Apuleius in the 2nd century AD.In th..

The Rapture of Psyche  [Oil on canvas, 82 1/4 x 47 1/8 inches (209 x 120 cm), Private collection]    This is one of Bouguereau's more romantic pieces.With Psyche finally in the arms of her love, Cupid, the two ascend to heaven.The subtle use of color is truly astonishing.The light and dark purples of the cloth surrounding Cupid and Psyche playbeautifully against the purple grey clouds and mounta..

Birth of Venus [Oil on canvas, 118 x 85 3/4 inches (300 x 218 cm), Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France]   Birth of Venus Venus, known as the bringer of joy, Roman goddess of love and beautystands on a shell in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by admirers.Two mermen use conch shells to trumpet her arrival as the angels thatcame to witness her birth ascend to heaven.This painting is truly a tour de fo..

Alma Mater  [Oil on canvas, 90 1/2 x 55 inches (230 x 140 cm), Private collection] Alma Mater Alma Mater is a patriotic masterpiece.The name Alma Mater is Latin for Nurturing Mother.However, it was also adapted from Latin into the more commonly knownwords 'alma mater' meaning national anthem.The woman in this image represents Mother France nurturing her children.Her face is filled with resolutio..

Charity [Oil on canvas, 77 1/8 x 46 inches (196 x 117 cm), Private collection]CharityCharity currently holds the world record for a Bouguereau painting soldat auction selling in the summer of 2000 for 3,600,000 US dollars.The painting depicts a beautiful woman caring and protecting five youngchildren giving them her nurturing, sustenance, and knowledge.The nurturing is represented by her bared b..