Rosa Bonheur was among the most accomplished female painters of the 19th century, a time when women were typically not encouraged to pursue fine arts as a profession. Bonheur never married and lived openly as a lesbian. She is remembered for her realist animal paintings and highly detailed bronze animal sculptures.
Bonheur was born in Bordeaux, France, in 1822. Her mother died when she was just 11. Her father, a painter, believed in female education and supported her artistic pursuits. He oversaw Bonheur’s painting education after her unsuccessful apprenticeship as a seamstress.
Bonheur rose to prominence relatively early in her career. In 1848, the French government commissioned a piece for an exhibition at the Paris Salon. The resulting painting, Ploughing in the Nivernais, is today in the collections of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Around this time, she began a relationship with fellow artist Nathalie Micas. The pair remained together for the rest of Micas’s life.
Bonheur’s most famous painting, The Horse Fair, was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1853 and completed in 1855. It is a depiction of the horse market, where Bonheur went twice a week for a year and a half to work on her sketches. She applied for a police permit to wear men’s clothing for comfort and to dissuade attention. The painting, which measures eight feet across, is in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
In 1855, Bonheur’s art dealer introduced her work to the United Kingdom, where her art proved even more popular than in her home country. Her financial success allowed her to move to a large property near Fontainebleau, France, in 1859, where she lived for the rest of her life. It has since been renamed Château de Rosa Bonheur and includes a museum dedicated to her work.
Bonheur was awarded the decoration of the French Legion of Honour in 1865 and was promoted to Officer of the Order in 1894, becoming the first female artist to receive the honor. In 1893, she exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
Bonheur died in 1899 at the age of 77. She was buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery next to Nathalie Micas.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Rosa Bonheur’s sculptures.
French Antique Bronze Sculpture “Resting Bull” by Rosa Bonheur ca. 1870-90
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in Shippensburg, PA
ROSA BONHEUR French, 1822-1899 "Boeuf Couché" (Resting Bull) Patinated sand-cast bronze Signed "Rosa B" in base conceived 1846, cast circa 1870-90 Item # 408TGI08P The original...
Bronze
Circa 1880 French Antique Bronze Sculpture “Resting Bull” by Rosa Bonheur
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in Shippensburg, PA
ROSA BONHEUR French, 1822-1899 "Boeuf Couché" (Resting Bull) Patinated bronze Signed "Rosa B" conceived 1846, a lifetime cast circa 1880 cold-stamped PEYROL to the reverse Item...
Bronze
Bronze Resting Camel Sculpture on Marble Stand French School
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
French School of an Egyptian Middle Eastern Camel Sculpture on Marble Stand. Large and heavy art Deco Style Bronze Resting Camel on White Marble Stand Sculpture. Boasting a dark pati...
Bronze
$9,736
H 36.62 in W 15.36 in D 10.63 in
"Florentine Singer" Bronze Sculpture by P. Dubois and F. Barbedienne, Circa 1880
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Paul Dubois
Located in PARIS, FR
Signed P. Dubois 1865 and F. Barbedienne fondeur Stamped with réduction mécanique Collas A patinated bronze « Florentine Singer » sculpture, inspir...
Bronze
Oxidized Bronze Bull Sculpture
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Oxidized bronze bull sculpture with clean, geometric lines and a distinctive cubist character. The sculpture reinterprets the bull, a traditional symbol of strength and power, in a s...
Brass
$5,000
H 8.27 in W 9.06 in D 3.75 in
Auguste Clésinger (French, 1814–1883) Roman Bull, 1858 Bronze sculpture
By Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco Bronze Sculpture – Roman Bull by Auguste Clésinger (1814–1883) Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne Foundry – Reduction by Achille Collas France, 1858 This exquisite 19th-...
Bronze
1960s Bronze Bull Sculpture by Venancio Blanco
By Venancio Blanco
Located in Marbella, ES
1960s bronze bull sculpture by Spanish Sculptor Venancio Blanco, who died in 2018 and a foundation that bears his name has been set up to promote his work.
Marble, Bronze
French Bronze Figure of a Bull, by Rosa Bonheur
Located in New York, NY
Inscribed "Rosa B" and stamped with the "Peyrol" foundry on the base.
Bronze
Antique French Bronzed Iron Bull Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing French cast iron bull dining table produced by Salin Foundry, Dammarie-Sur-Saulx. The solid bull features a bronzed patina and measures 37 inche...
Iron
Bronze bull sculpture by Pierre Chenet
Located in MILL, NL
Bronze sculpture of a bull (Taureau Chargeants) Designed by Pierre Chenet. From France, late 20th century Beautiful colour and patina. Dimensions: 39W x 28H x 14D cm
Bronze
"The Bull Fighter" Bronze Sculpture by Prince Monyo
By Prince Monyo
Located in Montreal, QC
Cast and polished bronze sculpture with parcel green textured patination, by Prince Monyo. American from Romanian descent Mihailescu-Nasturel. USA, circa 1980. Edit: 1/15.
Bronze
Monique Gerber Bronze Fruit Sculptures France ca' 1970's
By Monique Gerber
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A group of three fruit sculptures by Monique Gerber, French sculptor, ca' 1970's. Done is solid patinated bronze. Each one signed with engraving.
Bronze
Antique French Iron Plant Hand Cast Sculpture Centerpiece, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Amazing handmade French antique iron plant sculpture of a potted plant made at the end of 19th century. A pot sprouts tall, languid iris stems and le...
Iron
$1,848Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.63 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in
Antique Bronze Sculpture of Diana the Huntress, Carved, French, 1880
Located in Buxton, GB
This exquisite sculpture depicts Diane the Huntress in all her glory, after Houdon. The beautiful bronze sculpture taken from the famous marble masterpiece by J Houden, exhibited at ...
Bronze
Sold
H 5.63 in W 8.25 in D 3.75 in
Authentic Lifetime Bronze Sculpture of “Grazing Ewe” by Rosa Bonheur ca. 1860s
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in Shippensburg, PA
ROSA BONHEUR French, 1822-1899 "Mouton Broutant" or Grazing Ewe Dark-brown patina sand-cast bronze Signed in base "Rosa Bonheur" almost certainly cast by Peyrol (unmarked) circa...
Bronze
Dog Bronze Sculpture, 19th Century
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in BAUD, FR
Animal bronze sculpture Signed Rosa Bonheur *The Hunting Dog (Pointing Dog at Point)* Very beautiful patina Weight: 23 kg Length: 80 cm Base: 50 cm x 20.5 cm
Bronze
French Antique Bronze Sculpture of Sheep by Rosa Bonheur ca. 1860
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in Shippensburg, PA
ROSA BONHEUR French, 1822-1899 "Mouton Broutant" or Grazing Ewe Dark-brown patina sand-cast bronze Signed in base "Rosa B." almost certainly cast by Peyrol (unmarked) circa 1860...
Bronze
French Bronze Sculpture Rosa Bonheur “Mouton Broutant” Sheep ca. 1860
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in Shippensburg, PA
ROSA BONHEUR French, 1822-1899 "Mouton Broutant" or Grazing Ewe Dark-brown patina with autumnal highlights sand-cast bronze Signed in base "Rosa B." almost certainly cast by Pey...
Bronze
Sold
H 3.15 in W 5.52 in D 1.58 in
Rosa Bonheur : "Bull and cow", end of XIXth c. brown patinated bronze pendants
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rosa Bonheur ( 1822-1899, France) : "Bull and cow" End of XIXth century nuanced brown patinated bronze sculpture Signed : Rosa Bonheur on base by hand engraving Dimensions Bull W...
Bronze
French Bronze Sculpture “Resting Bull” by Rosa Bonheur & Peyrol
By Rosa Bonheur, Peyrol Foundry
Located in Shippensburg, PA
ROSA BONHEUR French, 1822-1899 "Boeuf Couché" (Resting Bull) Patinated bronze Signed "Rosa B" conceived 1846, a lifetime cast circa 1860-1880 cold-stamped verso PEYROL Item # 4...
Bronze
Sold
H 5.5 in W 9.5 in D 5 in
19th Century French Bronze Lying Cow Sculpture on Marble Base Signed R. Bonheur
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this antique bronze cow sculpture in an office or a man's desk desk. Crafted in France, circa 1880 and beautifully executed, the patinated "Vache Beuglante" (cow bellowing) is ...
Marble, Bronze
Rosa bonheur bronze sculpture
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Rosa bonheur bronze sculpture Bronze sculpture made by the great artist Rosa Bonheur Sculpture name: Brevis Couchee sheep Peyrol casting with ...
Bronze
Rosa Bonheur - Terracotta, Stationary Hunting Dog
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in Beaune, FR
Important terracotta representing a stationary hunting dog signed on the terrace "Rosa Bonheur". It is in perfect condition. Dimensions Total height 35cm Total length 80cm Height on...
Terracotta
Rare French Antique Bronze Sculpture “Grazing Ewe” by Rosa Bonheur
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in Shippensburg, PA
ROSA BONHEURFrench, 1822-1899"Mouton Broutant"Medium-brown patina on sand-cast bronze Signed in cast "Rosa B." almost certainly cast by Peyrol (unmarked) circa 1860Item # 307HRG26P...
Bronze
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H 3.88 in W 8.63 in D 4.5 in
“Brebis Couchée” Antique French Bronze Sculpture by Rosa Bonheur, circa 1870s
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Rare bronze sculpture of "Reclining Ewe" cast after model by Rosa Bonheur (French, 1822-1899) Sand-casting with reddish-brown oxide patina signed "Rosa B" foundry mark for Comptoir ...
Bronze
Sold
H 5.63 in W 11.25 in D 7.13 in
Rare “Boeuf Couché” French Antique Bronze Sculpture by Rosa Bonheur & Peyrol
By Rosa Bonheur, Peyrol Foundry
Located in Shippensburg, PA
“BOEUF COUCHE” patinated bronze sculpture by Rosa Bonheur. Signed in naturalist base "Rosa B.”; sand-cast; stamped verso PEYROL Item # 007OC...
Bronze