Detail of Senza Pietá by Aaron Nagel. Click for full image (709px × 864px)

If there was ever any doubt about the popularity of William Bouguereau’s art, this blog proves the contrary in a convincing way. Shown above is the 1,800th Remastered Bouguereau in this virtual museum. It’s a stunning creation by Aaron Nagel (website), entitled Senza Pietá, and inspired by Bouguereau’s 1876 work Pieta. In Nagel’s own words:

“It’s called “senza pietá” and is an attempt at my version of the classic Pieta by Michelangelo… or rather my version of Bouguereau‘s version (which I like better). Although it does contain ladies, the composition was very much out of my comfort zone. This is the first painting I’ve done of two full figures, and since I can’t at this point justify painting giant paintings (expensive to build, tiny studio, can’t fit in car, etc etc), the scale of figures was a lot smaller than I’m used to working. [...]“

Below you can compare the two versions. Click the first to visit the gallery where you will find several other remastered versions of Bouguereau’s painting. Click the second to view Senza Pietá (and read a further description) on Aaron Nagel’s site.