ROSA BONHEUR (French, 1822-1899). The Monarch of the Herd, 1868. Oil on canvas. 31-1/4 x 39 inches (79.4 x 99.1 cm)...

Description

ROSA BONHEUR (French, 1822-1899)
The Monarch of the Herd, 1868
Oil on canvas
31-1/4 x 39 inches (79.4 x 99.1 cm)
Signed and dated lower left: Rosa Bonheur / 1868

Rosa Bonheur was born into a family of artists and progressive thinkers. Her father an artist himself, Oscar-Raymond Bonheur, was a believer in Saint-Simonianism, a Christian-socialist sect that promoted the education of women alongside men. Although she never received formal training, Rosa and all three of her siblings studied with their father. Rosa began by copying images of animals from books, models, and from the animals in the rural areas of Paris. Revered for being an outspoken feminist, she wore pants, kept her hair short, and visited 'manly' places such as slaughterhouses and butcher shops, where she studied animal anatomy and osteology. Her paintings of animals met with great acclaim due to their realistic portrayals. Bonheur became famous as an animalière and realist artist, even while the actual scenes of wildlife were rapidly disappearing due to the increasing industrialization of Europe.

More information about ROSA BONHEUR. See also: Bonheur, Rosa, Bonheur, Marie Rosa, Bonheur, Marie Rosalie, Bonheur, Rosalie, Rosa Bonheur Artist.

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