Rosa Bonheur

Date of Birth: March 16, 1822

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: May 25, 1899

Biography

Rosa Bonheur, born Marie-Rosalie Bonheur on March 16, 1822, in Bordeaux, France, was a renowned French artist and sculptor, celebrated for her realistic depictions of animals. Her father, Oscar-Raymond Bonheur, was a landscape and portrait painter who greatly influenced her artistic inclinations. Bonheur displayed an early talent for drawing and painting, particularly animals, which became the focus of her career. Rosa Bonheur’s most famous work, “The Horse Fair” (1852-1855), is a monumental painting that solidified her reputation as one of the preeminent animal painters of the 19th century. Throughout her life, she received multiple accolades, including the French Legion of Honor in 1865, making her the first female artist to receive this award. Bonheur was known for her unconventional lifestyle; she wore men’s clothing (for which she obtained special permission from the French government) and lived openly with her lifelong partner, Nathalie Micas, and later with American artist Anna Elizabeth Klumpke. Bonheur continued to work and paint until her death on May 25, 1899, in Thomery, France. Her legacy endures through her masterful works, which continue to be celebrated for their technical skill and emotional depth.

5 Interesting Facts about Rosa Bonheur

1. Rosa Bonheur was the first woman to receive the French Legion of Honor.

2. Her painting “The Horse Fair” is considered her magnum opus and is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

3. She often visited slaughterhouses to study animal anatomy in detail for her works.

4. Bonheur received special permission from the French government to wear men’s clothing, which she found more practical for her work.

5. She lived with her lifelong partner Nathalie Micas and later with American artist Anna Elizabeth Klumpke after Micas’s death.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Rosa Bonheur

1. “The epithets of imbecile and visionary are my lot; and to them I say, ‘I would rather be the first than the latter, for the visionaries see beauty and truth where the imbeciles see nothing.’”

2. “The horse is my greatest inspiration.”

3. “I care nothing for the fashionable and amusing world, and as little for the madding crowd.”

4. “Genius is nothing more nor less than childhood regained at will.”

5. “I was born under the sign of the ram, and I have always been true to my astrological symbol.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Rosa Bonheur achieved significant financial success during her lifetime, with an estimated peak net worth equivalent to several million dollars in today’s currency through the sale of her paintings and sculptures.