Rosa Bonheur

France 1822-1899
Rosa Bonheur, a prominent and pioneering French realist painter, was born Marie-Rosalie Bonheur on March 16, 1822, in Bordeaux, France. Throughout her illustrious career, she achieved unprecedented success for a female artist of her time, becoming an emblematic figure in the world of 19th-century art. From an early age, Rosa was immersed in an artistic environment under the tutelage of her father, Raymond Bonheur, who himself was an artist. She received formal training alongside her siblings, embracing the principles of realism which were beginning to take root in European art. Bonheur's dedication to depicting animals with meticulous detail and accuracy distinguished her among her peers. This fascination led her to spend countless hours at animal markets, farms, and slaughterhouses, studying their anatomy and behavior firsthand—a practice that was quite unusual for a woman in those days. One of her most celebrated works is "The Horse Fair" (1853–1855), a monumental painting that showcases her mastery of capturing movement and vitality in a scene filled with horses and horse traders. The piece garnered international acclaim and hangs today in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Her other notable artworks include "Ploughing in the Nivernais," which reflects her interest in rural life and agricultural labor, as well as numerous landscapes and portraits of domesticated and wild animals. Throughout her life, Bonheur challenged gender norms by dressing in men's clothing to gain access to spaces like horse fairs and stockyards, where women were generally not allowed. She also obtained special permission from the police to wear trousers, which was illegal for women at the time. Her achievements were recognized officially when she became the first woman to receive the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France's highest civilian honor, in 1865. Bonheur's influence extended beyond her own work; she played a significant role in mentoring young artists and was known for her support of women's rights within the arts. Despite living in an era dominated by male artists, she managed to carve out a successful career, selling her paintings to collectors around the globe and achieving financial independence. Her legacy continued long after her death on May 25, 1899, in Thomery, France. Today, Rosa Bonheur is remembered not only for her remarkable contributions to the genre of animalier art but also as a trailblazer for women in the arts, breaking barriers and inspiring generations to come.

Collection of Works(Page 1)

A Ghillie And Two Shetland Ponies In A Misty Landscape,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, 1boy, outdoors
A Ghillie And Two Shetland Ponies In A Misty Landscape
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 3225 × 1986 px
A Shepherd Resting With His Flock,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, outdoors, scenery, sky, animal
A Shepherd Resting With His Flock
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 4548 × 2479 px
Cattle at Rest on a Hillside in the Alps,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, no humans, grass, outdoors
Cattle at Rest on a Hillside in the Alps
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 3000 × 2479 px
Deer in Repose,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, deer, nature, no humans, forest, tree, outdoors
Deer in Repose
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 2990 × 3660 px
A Limier Briquet Hound,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, no humans, realistic, dog, nature, grass
A Limier Briquet Hound
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 3757 × 3068 px
Bearded, bare-chested male figure, study for 'The Horse Fair',Rosa Bonheur,Sketch,Sketch, 1boy, male focus
Bearded, bare-chested male figure, study for 'The Horse Fair'
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 2316 × 3700 px
Charcoal burners (Les charbonniers),Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, weapon, tree, 1boy, monochrome
Charcoal burners (Les charbonniers)
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 7292 × 5613 px
Head Of A Calf,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, no humans, animal focus, realistic, animal, grass
Head Of A Calf
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 4632 × 3779 px
A Sheep at Rest,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, realistic, no humans, grass, outdoors, sheep, tree
A Sheep at Rest
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 9383 × 7496 px
Bouquets D’Arbres Dans La Prairie,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, no humans, tree, outdoors, scenery
Bouquets D’Arbres Dans La Prairie
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 4518 × 3662 px
Deer at the edge of the forest,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, nature, deer, forest, no humans
Deer at the edge of the forest
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 1948 × 4354 px
Head Of A Lamb,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, no humans, realistic, grass, animal focus, animal
Head Of A Lamb
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 4534 × 3220 px