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 4)

Study of a Dog,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, no humans, animal focus, dog, traditional media
Study of a Dog
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 2841 × 3335 px
Study Of Lions And Lionesses,Rosa Bonheur,Sketch,Sketch, monochrome, sketch, traditional media, no humans
Study Of Lions And Lionesses
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 3638 × 2408 px
The Farm at the Entrance of the Wood,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, no humans, outdoors, tree
The Farm at the Entrance of the Wood
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 6000 × 4146 px
The King Watches,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, no humans, outdoors, animal, nature
The King Watches
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 4000 × 2813 px
Study Of Deer Heads,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, no humans, traditional media, simple background
Study Of Deer Heads
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 4840 × 3533 px
Study Of Two Dogs,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, no humans, realistic, dog, signature
Study Of Two Dogs
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 4618 × 3024 px
The Grey Horse,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, multiple boys, outdoors, horse, cloud, male focus, hat
The Grey Horse
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 4460 × 3269 px
The leading stag,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, antlers, deer, animal, brown theme, no humans
The leading stag
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 2808 × 1399 px
Study of heads of lions and lionesses,Rosa Bonheur,Sketch,Sketch, sketch, monochrome, traditional media
Study of heads of lions and lionesses
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 2882 × 1901 px
The Call of the Stag,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, no humans, sky, outdoors, cloud, grass, moon
The Call of the Stag
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 2934 × 2237 px
The Horse Fair,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, horse, horseback riding, tree, riding, outdoors
The Horse Fair
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 3499 × 1650 px
The Legend of the Wolves,Rosa Bonheur,Oil Painting,Oil Painting, riding, night, horse, horseback riding, sky
The Legend of the Wolves
Painter: Rosa Bonheur
Resolution: 3912 × 2878 px