The Song Bird

Augustus Jules Bouvier (1827–1881) was a French-born English painter active in London. He exhibited at the British Institution and the Royal Academy. He is best known for oil paintings of women of the English aristocracy, but also was an accomplished water colourist. Augustus Bouvier was the son of Paris-born artist Jules Bouvier (1800–1867), who moved to London with his family in 1818. His brother, Gustavus Arthur Bouvier, also became a British figure painter. Bouvier was a student at the Royal Academy. He later went on to complete his studies in France and Italy. In 1852 he exhibited for the first time at the Royal Academy, he continued to exhibit there over the years, often with genre scenes and a series of idealised feminine portraits such as Jessica in 1854, Emily in 1857, and Hermosita in 1859. Bouvier was one of the first artists known to have exhibited at the British Institution, where he debuted with the oil painting The Fish Market in Boulogne. From 1865 onward he was a member of the New Watercolour Society. While he specialized in figure paintings and portraits of elegantly dressed women in the English aristocracy, Bouvier also exhibited genre paintings (some of European scenes), and occasional domesticated mythological scenes like his The Three Graces of 1875. He also produced miniatures and sensitive watercolours. Influenced by the early aesthetic movement, his style relates to both Victorian academic painting and the Pre-Raphaelites. This picture is signed and dated 1866 and has been conserved to a high degree, the date and signature are at the Lower left, additional images have been supplied. I have included an alternative biography for your interest. Augustus Jules Bouvier (1827–1881) was a French-born English painter best known for his portraits of upper-class women, genre scenes, and watercolor paintings. Early life and education Family: Born in France, Bouvier was the son of Jules Bouvier, an artist from Paris who moved to London with his family in 1818. His brother, Gustavus Arthur Bouvier, was also a British figure painter. Training: Bouvier was a student at the Royal Academy Schools starting in 1841. He later continued his artistic studies in France and Italy. Career and style Bouvier painted figure paintings, particularly portraits of women, as well as genre and mythological scenes. Known for a delicate and idealized style, fine lines, and muted colors, he was an accomplished watercolorist and was elected to the New Watercolour Society in 1865. His style shows influences from the early Aesthetic Movement and connections to Victorian academic painting and the Pre-Raphaelites. Bouvier also illustrated books. Exhibitions and notable works Bouvier exhibited at major London institutions, including the Royal Academy and the British Institution.