Look at the clarity of this painting, the wonderful use of basic colors. Her eyes and her slight smile could create all sort of stories
Gabrielle Cot is the name of the
subject and the painting. She was the daughter of the French painter Pierre
Auguste Cot, the most notable pupil of Bouguereau. This painting was the only non-commissioned
painting he ever painted. Initially the work was started as a study for another
painting but Bouguereau was enthralled by her charm and beauty, so he decided
to paint a portrait of her.
The painting was gifted to Madame
Duret by Bouguereau on the occasion of Gabrielle's marriage. Gabrielle married
an architect named Zilin in 1890.It remained in Duret's family passing down via
inheritance until it was sold in New York on 25 May 1983. It was held in a
private collection until being sold again in New York on 10 November 1998; it
was exhibited a year later in 1999 at the Newington Cropsey Foundation
William-Adolphe Bouguereau