Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau papers, 1853-1977

Collection Information

Size: 0.4 Linear feet

Summary: The papers of painter Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau measure 0.4 linear feet and date from 1853 to 1977, with the bulk of the material dating from 1864 to 1920. Found within the papers are correspondence written to Bouguereau's immediate family; clippings and miscellaneous printed material; and photographs of Bouguereau and her husband Adolphe. Also in the Archives are papers lent for microfilming on reel 3135 and returned to Bouguereau's grandniece, Miriam Dunnan. These papers are not described in the container listing of this finding aid and are available only on microfilm. Included are photographs of Elizabeth and Adolphe Bouguereau and Imogene Robinson Morrell.

Biographical/Historical Note

Painter Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau (1837-1922) lived and worked in Paris, France. Bouguereau was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, graduated from the Lasell Female Seminary in Auburndale, Massachusetts, in 1856, and taught French at the Worcester School of Design and Fine Arts. In the summer of 1864, she travelled to Paris with a former art instructor, Imogene Robinson, with the intention of furthering her art studies. Upon arrival, they copied paintings at the Luxembourg Museum and Bouguereau studied in a number of studios, including the studio of Jean-Baptiste Tissier, a cooperative women's studio, and the École Jardin des Plantes. In 1868, she gained entry to the Paris Salon, one of only six women invited to participate before 1870.

Provenance

The Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau papers were donated between 1983 and 1986 by Bouguereau's grandniece, Miriam Gardner Dunnan. She also lent photographs for microfilming in 1984.

Related Materials

The Archives of American Art also holds microfilm of material lent for microfilming (reel 3135) including photographs. Loaned materials were returned to the lender and are not described in the collection container inventory.

Language Note

The collection is in English.

Funding

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art.