means. The practice was continued into medieval times, especially in Italy and France, long after Christianity had spread over Europe and Paganism had completely disappeared from the civilized portions of the world.

Mlle. Marie Rose Vasselon, who was born at Craponne in the Department of the Upper Loire, exhibited in earliest childhood a most astonishing artistic talent. She seemed to learn to draw by instinct, for she had enjoyed no instruction apart from that which was afforded by the pictures and engravings in her home. A Madame Thoret, a very able woman painter of the time, gave her her first actual instruction in art. She then went to Paris, where, while studying in the art school, she also became a student under Carolus Duran and Henner. Her first successes were made in portraiture, but, strongly influenced by Henner, she commenced to make a specialty of the study of the nude, of which "The Bath" is a convincing example. Miss Vasselon shows in her pictures a wonderfully fine appreciation of color, and great accuracy and skill in drawing. Her technique is big, broad, and free, and her execution perfect.

The "Nymphs" of Bouguereau is one of his famous pictures. it is a subject which explains itself.

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Chapter 7 Text

William-Adolphe Bouguereau