Lecture: William Bouguereau by Christophe Bertaud
Bouguereau is beautiful! Bouguereau is fun!
Bouguereau is beautiful! Bouguereau is fun!
A major academic painter of the late 19th century, winner of the Grand Prix de Rome and Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, William Bouguereau enjoyed the highest recognition during his lifetime.
Yet in France, his work remains largely unknown today, even though his paintings are preserved and exhibited all over the world. Bouguereau ‘has sunk into such immense oblivion. It's a bit like Picasso becoming unknown in a few years' time,’ wrote Jean-Jacques Breton in 2010 in his Anthologie des peintres pompiers.
Through this lecture, historian Christophe Bertaud aims to restore this La Rochelle painter to his rightful place. He will discuss the personality of William Bouguereau, whose 200th birthday was celebrated in November 2025 in La Rochelle, his links with the Île de Ré, and the criticism his academic art received in the contemporary press.
AFTER THE LECTURE, YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR COPY OF THE BOOK ‘BOUGUEREAUMENT BEAU ! BOUGUEREAUMENT AMUSANT !’ SIGNED.
Historian Christophe Bertaud was the archivist of the La Rochelle Chamber of Commerce and Industry between 1997 and 2005 and author of numerous historical articles. In his book Bouguereaument Beau ! Bouguereaument Amusant !, he explores the career of a major painter born in Charente-Maritime.
DURATION: 1H30
PRICE €7
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED ON 05 46 09 21 22
Yet in France, his work remains largely unknown today, even though his paintings are preserved and exhibited all over the world. Bouguereau ‘has sunk into such immense oblivion. It's a bit like Picasso becoming unknown in a few years' time,’ wrote Jean-Jacques Breton in 2010 in his Anthologie des peintres pompiers.
Through this lecture, historian Christophe Bertaud aims to restore this La Rochelle painter to his rightful place. He will discuss the personality of William Bouguereau, whose 200th birthday was celebrated in November 2025 in La Rochelle, his links with the Île de Ré, and the criticism his academic art received in the contemporary press.
AFTER THE LECTURE, YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR COPY OF THE BOOK ‘BOUGUEREAUMENT BEAU ! BOUGUEREAUMENT AMUSANT !’ SIGNED.
Historian Christophe Bertaud was the archivist of the La Rochelle Chamber of Commerce and Industry between 1997 and 2005 and author of numerous historical articles. In his book Bouguereaument Beau ! Bouguereaument Amusant !, he explores the career of a major painter born in Charente-Maritime.
DURATION: 1H30
PRICE €7
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED ON 05 46 09 21 22
