4.9/5
Alexandre Cabanel and the 1863 Paris Salon
A nude goddess floats on a rolling swell of deep blue water. Five winged cherubs drift in a pale blue sky above her cream-colored skin. This is The Birth of Venus by Alexandre Cabanel, a masterpiece of Academicism. This style prized smooth finishes and classical stories.
Cabanel organized the painting along a horizontal line. The curves of the woman's body match the gentle rise of the seafoam green waves. A soft overhead light bathes the entire scene, leaving almost no shadows. It highlights her soft pink skin with a smooth, porcelain finish.
The Imperial Taste of Napoleon III
Napoleon III purchased the original painting from the 1863 Paris Salon for his private collection. [1] Nudity at the salon was only acceptable under a mythological guise. [2] He also commissioned Alexandre Cabanel for other portraits, like our reproduction of Napoleon III. Later, he displayed this piece at the Universal Exhibition of 1867. [2]
Cabanel also sold replication rights to Goupil art dealers. They commissioned artist Adolphe Jourdan to paint smaller copies which Cabanel signed. [3] New Yorker John Wolfe also commissioned a copy directly from Alexandre Cabanel in 1875. [4] Today, you can own a hand-painted the birth of venus reproduction starting from $350.
Every element shows the highly polished finish of the Academicism style. Look closely to find the signature of Alexandre Cabanel in the lower-left corner. Right below her hair, delicate cresting white foam clings to the dark waves. The two leftmost cherubs hold large spiral seashells to their ears.
Ordering Your Alexandre Cabanel Reproduction in the Perfect Size
Our artists recreate this smooth, invisible brushwork stroke-by-stroke. You can find this work in our collection of the hundred most famous paintings of all time. If you love this look, you may also enjoy every Alexandre Cabanel reproduction we offer, including his other famous reproduction of Venus.
We offer seven sizes with options like classic frames or stretched canvas. If your wall requires a specific fit, you can order any size through our custom-order page. We can easily paint the original proportions of this horizontal canvas to match your room perfectly.
