Song of the Angels by William Adolphe Bouguereau is my second-favorite painting of the nativity (my favorite is Adoration of the Child by Correggio). Bouguereau is probably the most skillful, most powerful figure painter Western Civilization has produced, standing on the shoulders of Da Vinci, Raphael, and Rembrandt. He is still relatively little- known, however, his work having been vilified during his lifetime by the modernist “art” movement. Thus painters like Picasso and Pollack have been collected by museums and forced down our throats in art history courses, while Bouguereau’s repudiation by the self- appointed art critics was so complete that many fine art professionals had not even heard of him.
That tide is changing. Just this month, the Getty Museum in Los Angeles hung Song of the Angels to much fanfare. If you will be in that area, make a point to visit.
Warning: Both artists mentioned below do a few nudes, so if you are interested in learning more about these two realist painters explore when little eyes are not in view of the screen. Mostly though, these artists paint scenes of children and childhood that touch the heart, so it is worth the look. :0)
The online Art Renewal Center is a great way to learn more about realist painters. One of their favorites is Bouguereau, so you can find lots of information on him. The link to their first of many pages is http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/art.asp?aid=7
Look up Steve Hanks while you are there. He is considered an ARC living master. A link to his work is at http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/art.asp?aid=2167. My favorite Hanks painting and the very first one I ever saw of his is at http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/image.asp?id=9666.