As we can see here, Bouguereau had the ability (knack) to bring his figures to life upon the canvas. He was able to capture the multiple facets of that which makes us human – Our moods, our character. Indeed, many critics feel he had the ability to quite literally depict the very soul and spirit of youth. From the eighteen-eighties Bouguereau’s artistic interest ebbed toward ancient Greco-Roman mythology and his paintings reflect this in the ancient classical feel of the work: Italian Girl Drawing Water is a beautiful example of this. This oil painting was produced by the artist toward the end of his artistic career. The work is developed and incredibly sensitive. While Bouguereau’s career seamlessly advanced his art works did bare the brunt of Impressionism and indeed the Impressionists. Nevertheless his paintings were considered to define the ultimate in taste and refinement and were quickly snapped up by affluent Americans until 1920; fifteen years after his death.