Guillaume Seignac

Seignac trained at the École des Beaux Arts under the tutelage of William Bouguereau, where he developed a unique talent for depicting classical figures with a high degree of finish. Bouguereau described the Seignac nude as un genie immortel - an ideal of grace and beauty that transforms nature.

19th century European and American society found great appeal in the romanticism of Seignac's idealized nudes and the boldest of their ranks created a fashion trend by audaciously displaying highly polished nudes in the public areas of their homes. As more and more families wished to appear stylishly modern, works such as Venus and Cupid became exceedingly popular. Until that time, the most desirable paintings to display in the home were the works of Italian Renaissance masters. Seignac was highly influenced by these painters, evidenced by the harmoniously balanced composition and equilibrium between color and line. Seignac brought the Sistine sibyl into the modern world, framing her figure in nature and immortalizing her beauty.