The captive

An idealized nude cherub-like child with white wings sits on a stone balustrade in a shaded garden. The figure is rendered with smooth, luminous flesh tones and delicate features; the right arm is raised to hold a small object aloft while the left arm rests on the stone, and the wings extend behind, creating a strong diagonal against the dark green background and pink roses. The painting embodies Bouguereau’s polished Academic style, with precise anatomy, refined brushwork, and a restrained palette of warm skin tones, white, and muted greens and earths.