If her name isn’t familiar, her works certainly are. Rosa Bonheur was a French painter, a leader of the Romantic era, and today is regarded as one of France’s most celebrated artists. Born in 1822, she is best known for her vibrant realist paintings and her use of animals as a subject. Many of her works have become iconic, such as ‘The Horse Fair’ and ‘The Sheepfold’. Let’s explore some facts about this remarkable lady.
Early Years
Rosa Bonheur was born Marie-Rosalie Bonheur, the oldest girl in a family of seven on March 16th, 1822 in Bordeaux, France. Her artistic talents were evident from a very young age, and by the age of six, she was already drawing and painting with much skill. Her father, Raymond Bonheur, was a landscape artist and encouraged her creativity. In order to pursue her passion, she travelled to Paris in 1841 and continued to perfect her craft by taking classes at the Academy of Fine Arts and the Louvre.
Breaking Through the Mold
Bonheur was one of the first women to break through the gender roles that were prominent in 19th century France. She created works that featured muscular and bold female figures, painted in a man’s world. She dressed in men’s clothing, which was a sign of feminism and a way for her to feel more comfortable when attending classes and sketching outdoors. Her clothing was more than just a desire for comfort, however. It also served to represent her refusal of traditional gender roles and her determination to succeed in a man’s world.
Artistic Career
Bonheur’s career began in the early 1840s, and before long, she was receiving commissions from aristocrats thanks to the high quality of her art. She started exhibiting at the French Salon of Painting and Sculpture in 1841, and in 1853 her works were selected by Emperor Napoleon III, who admired her courage and talent and offered her special privileges when depicting his hunts and his court. He even awarded her with a prestigious medal.
The Horse Fair
Bonheur’s most renowned work is ‘The Horse Fair’, which she painted in 1853. The painting took four years to complete and it depicted the horse market in Paris in full glory. The painting was so large (11 feet x 16.5 feet) that a special easel had to be constructed to hold it. When completed, it received a Gold Medal at the Paris Salon of 1853, making her the first woman to have been honoured by the French government.
The Sheepfold
Bonheur’s other renowned work is ‘The Sheepfold’, completed in 1865. It is an enormous canvas that measures fourteen feet wide and includes 49 sheep, painted in several shades of brown, black and white. The painting took sixteen months to complete and was inspired by a trip that Bonheur had taken to the Pyrenees Mountains in search of the perfect sheep to paint. The painting won a gold medal from the government of Empress Eugenie in 1865 and is today considered a masterpiece of 19th century French realism.
Honours and Awards
Bonheur was an extraordinary success and in her lifetime received a number of honours. In 1865 she became the first woman to ever receive the French Legion of Arts and Letters. The same year, she also received a Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, which is France’s highest honour. The U.S. President Ulysses S Grant appointed her Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, in recognition of her work.
Legacy
When Bonheur died in 1899, she left behind a powerful legacy. She inspired many prominent female artists such as Eva Gonzales, Suzanne Valadon, and Marie Bashkirtseff. Her paintings remain in the most prestigious settings today and they are an ever-present reminder of her remarkable contribution to art.
Rosa Bonheur was a trailblazer of the French Romantic era and is today regarded as one of France’s most celebrated painters. Her pioneering approaches to art and her determination to succeed in a man’s world have left a lasting impression. Her works remain an inspiration to female artists around the world and she is a powerful reminder of the importance of pushing boundaries.
