伊莉莎白‧珍妮‧加德納（Elizabeth Jane Gardner, 1837-1922）是法國十九世紀學院派大師——威廉‧亞杜夫‧布葛赫（William Adolphe Bouguereau, 1825-1905）的第二任妻子。加德納出身自美國波士頓地區著名的藝術鑑賞家族，曾在雙親的鼓勵下學習藝術，並於1864年前往巴黎進修和發展繪畫事業，1868年成為首位入選巴黎沙龍展的美國女性藝術家之一。加德納最為人所熟知的是她與布葛赫之間的情感，兩人曾為師生和鄰居，直至1876年布葛赫的妻子過世後才逐漸成為戀人並於1879年訂婚，但因顧及布葛赫母親的感受，直到1896年母親逝世後才正式結為連理。

這幅繪於1879年的肖像是當年布葛赫與加德納訂婚的紀念之作，與現藏於蒙特利爾美術博物館（Montreal Museum of Fine Arts）的【布葛赫自畫像】（Self-portrait, 1879）成對。此畫中的加德納以四分之三的右側身姿出現，清澈且直視觀者的雙眼，以及白皙透紅的面頰襯托出她溫柔平和的神情，而帶著淺淺微笑的嘴角則隱約留露出訂婚的喜悅。她身穿帶有蕾絲立領和綴有黃、綠、藍色花邊的暗綠色綢緞華服，低調中又不失華麗之氣。此外，兩耳及胸前搭配以金邊鑲珠且相互成對的黑色寶石耳環與胸針，亦烘托出她高雅莊重的氣質。布葛赫以其向來被視為當時學院派繪畫典範的精緻細膩技巧和恬靜畫作氛圍，清楚地刻畫出加德納神情、衣裝與典雅性情，堪稱是其肖像畫的代表作之一。(徐鈺涵)

Elizabeth Jane Gardner (1837–1922) was the second wife of William Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905), a celebrated French academic painter in the 19th century. Gardner was raised in a notable family of art connoisseurs in Boston. Encouraged by her parents, she studied art and pursued further education in Paris in 1864 to develop her artistic career. In 1868, she became one of the first American female artists to be selected for incorporation into the Salon. Gardner was known for her romantic relationship with Bouguereau. She was his student as well as his neighbor. It wasn’t until 1876, when Bouguereau’s wife passed away, that they gradually became lovers; they eventually went on to become engaged in 1879. However, out of consideration for Bouguereau’s mother’s feelings, they waited until after she passed away before marrying in 1896.

This portrait, created in 1879, was commissioned in commemoration of their engagement. It is a companion piece to Self-portrait (1879) which is housed in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. With a three-quarter profile, Gardner looks directly at the viewer with her clear eyes. Her rosy cheeks accentuate her gentle and peaceful expression. The smile on her lips reveals her joy over the engagement. Wearing a standing collar and a dark green satin trimmed with yellow, green and blue lace, she looks modest but gorgeous. The pair of black gem earrings and brooch highlight her elegant and graceful temperament. Bouguereau vividly portrays Gardner’s expression, clothing and elegance with his detailed and exquisite techniques and a serene atmosphere advocated in the contemporary Academic art, making this piece highly typical of his portrait paintings. (Yu Han HSU)