Sotheby's Masterpieces Expected to Break World Record

William Bouguereau - Jeune Bergere Debout
Oil on canvas, 1887

To be sold at Sotheby's NY 10/23/2008 $1,500,000 - $2,500,000. This is one of the consummate masterpieces of Western Civilization, and a steal at 5 times this estimate.

The current world record for a single figure by William Bouguereau was just set this past April when "Dejeuner Du Matin" sold for $2,050,000. "Young Shepardess Standing"(Jeune Bergere Debout)1887 is at least twice the painting in every respect. Long before women's rights were in the front of people's thoughts, Bouguereau painted this strong spirited young peasant Girl who "Stands her ground" and who is equal to any Debutante from 19th Century high society. (Debout is a play on words for "Debut"). Bold and unafraid, she stares directly in our eyes as she fills most of the canvas with her energy and presence.

Go to the Sotheby's catalog

Source: ARC