Édouard Louis Dubufe. Portrait of Rosa Bonheur (the bull was painted by Bonheur) (1857). Versailles Palace. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
By Nina Heyn – Your Culture Scout,
There is a reason why the traditionally dressed Victorian lady in the portrait above is resting her hand on a bull instead of a chair or some other conventional prop. While the lady, Rosa Bonheur, was painted by the portraitist Édouard Louis Dubufe, Bonheur herself painted in the bull after deciding that a “boring chair” would not be appropriate for any description of her as an artist. And she could not have been more right.
Hi, Nina.
Thank you so much. I absolutely love Rosa Bonheur and didn’t know of her work until now. Having a great love for animals myself, her work resonates deeply. She is able to capture the essence of the animals. I think she’s my new favorite artist. THANK YOU!
Hello Culture Scout,
I’d seen The Horse Fair but I knew nothing about the artist or any of her other paintings. Thank you for introducing me to Rosa Bonheur.
Nancy Thomas
Bonheur is very inspiring. I love this woman. Ill have to investigate her work. Thanks Catherine. Your just as inspiring