The Assault

The painting centers on a young woman seated in a white draped garment, surrounded by cherubic nude putti with wings who reach toward and cling to her, creating an intimate, crowding composition set against a leafy garden backdrop. The color palette is soft and pale, with warm flesh tones, white fabric, and delicate pinks, while the light is evenly diffused to produce a smooth, luminous surface. The work exemplifies Bouguereau’s academic realism and neoclassical idealization, with meticulous brushwork, carefully modeled anatomy, and a serene mood despite the bustling scene.