Eros is the Greek god of love. With golden arrows he brings love to the people. Everyone hit by an arrow is filled with affection. Bougereau has created a scene in which Eros has direct contact with a young woman and climbs to her lap. Eros looks mischievous, but determined. The young woman smiles, but does not seem convinced of her defense.

The French painter Bougereau has made equal use of the lines and the color scheme to give his works the desired expression. Bougereau shows with the painting his idea of the mythology of the gods. The easy play between the woman and the young god is portrayed with skillful detail and movement. Especially in the later years of his life, the painter mastered an almost photorealistic style, with which the figures of the paintings are brought to life. The artist has achieved a modern interpretation of the classical theme of mythology. The allegorical connection gave the painter artistic recognition and silenced his critics with regard to so much bare skin. Focussing on the female body with the expression of lightheartedness was not uncritically adopted in late 19th century society. The Arcadian landscape in the background is French. Bougereau took the sunny hills from his neighborhood and put them together with his favorite figures of the divine world.

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A Young Girl Defending Herself against Eros by William Adolphe Bouguereau. Available as an art print on canvas, photo paper, watercolor board, uncoated paper or Japanese paper.
woman · breast · cupid · arrow · blue · green · tree · white · brown