Why did Edgar degas and Claude Monet supposedly declare that by the year 2000 bouguereau would be considered the greatest painter of the nineteenth century?

Edgar Degas and Claude Monet reportedly believed that by the year 2000, the artistic merits of William-Adolphe Bouguereau would be re-evaluated, recognizing him as the greatest painter of the nineteenth century. This sentiment stemmed from Bouguereau's mastery of technique, particularly his skill in depicting human figures and emotions with striking realism. While he was often dismissed by the avant-garde movements of his time, Degas and Monet anticipated a future appreciation for Bouguereau's traditional artistry and emotional depth, contrasting with the more experimental approaches of their own works.