The Return of Spring

"The Return of Spring" is an acclaimed painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, completed in 1886. This masterpiece is housed at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska, thanks to a generous donation from Francis T. B. Martin in 1951. The painting arrived in Omaha through George W. Lininger, an art collector and gallery owner who enjoyed sharing his collection with the public free of charge.

Despite its beauty and popularity, the painting has faced its share of challenges. It was attacked twice, once in 1890 and again in 1976, by individuals who were offended by its nudity. Fortunately, the damage was minimal on both occasions.

An intriguing detail about this painting is that a replica appeared in a ballroom scene in the 1993 film "The Age of Innocence" which is set in the 1870s. This is a notable anachronism, as the painting was created in 1886, well after the film's time period.