{"product_id":"the-madonna-of-the-lilies-william-adolphe-bouguereau","title":"The Madonna of the Lilies - William-Adolphe Bouguereau","description":"\u003cp\u003eA serene religious portrait by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, featuring the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child surrounded by symbolic lilies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePainted in 1899, The Madonna of the Lilies demonstrates the technical precision and polished finish characteristic of William-Adolphe Bouguereau. The composition centres on the Virgin Mary, who holds the Christ Child in a balanced, symmetrical arrangement. Her expression is one of calm, while the infant Jesus reaches outward with open arms. The figures are rendered with smooth, porcelain-like skin tones, a hallmark of the artist's approach to human anatomy and light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBehind the figures, a dense, decorative backdrop of flowers provides a contrast to the dark, heavy folds of the Virgin's robes. This floral motif adds a layer of texture to the otherwise clean, classical composition. The presence of white lilies at the base of the throne serves as a traditional symbol of purity, often associated with the Virgin Mary in Western art history. Two golden halos frame the heads of the subjects, reinforcing their sacred status through a subtle, luminous glow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBouguereau was a leading figure of the French Academic tradition, maintaining a strict adherence to classical form and refined technique during a period when Impressionism began to gain traction. His work often focused on mythological and religious themes, executed with a high degree of finish that minimised visible brushwork. This piece reflects his ability to combine traditional iconography with a sentimental, idealised aesthetic. The lighting is soft and even, avoiding harsh shadows to maintain a serene atmosphere throughout the scene. The work remains a clear example of the late nineteenth-century academic style, prioritising clarity, balance, and technical mastery over the experimental approaches of his contemporaries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/products\/madonna-nursing-the-child-petrus-christus\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eMadonna Nursing the Child by Petrus Christus\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/products\/madonna-with-the-parrots-hans-baldung-grien\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eMadonna with the Parrots by Hans Baldung Grien\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/collections\/william-adolphe-bouguereau\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#2a555a;border:1px solid #2a555a;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#ffffff;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eWilliam-Adolphe Bouguereau artwork →\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"William-Adolphe Bouguereau","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59475465666895,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59475465732431,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59475465830735,"sku":null,"price":290.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59475465863503,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59475465929039,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/The-Madonna-of-the-Lilies_Poster_CompositorV1_1794449488961.jpg?v=1794449717","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/en-nz\/products\/the-madonna-of-the-lilies-william-adolphe-bouguereau","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}