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.
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 animalier au chien 19eme
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in BAUD, FR
Bronze Animalier Signé Rosa Bonheur (1822-1899) Le Chien De Chasse Braque à l'Arrêt très belle patine 23Kg 80cm de long sa base fait 50cm x 20.5cm
Bronze
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
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
$10,009
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
$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
$2,826
H 4 in W 9.75 in D 6 in
Bronze sculpture depicting a pig or sow, signed I. Bonheur, France 1870.
By Isidore Jules Bonheur
Located in Milan, IT
Lost-wax bronze sculpture depicting a pig or sow lying in a meadow. The sculpture is mounted on an oval Lavagna slate base. Signed "I. Bonheur." France, late 19th century.
Slate, 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 Bronze Cherub Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
This 18th century sculpture from France features a cherub holding a unique fish-like creature, all crafted from bronze. Reclaimed from France, this piece adds character to any outdoo...
Bronze
19th Century French Patinated Bronze Bull Sculpture Signed G. Gardet
By George Gardet
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this large bronze bull sculpture in an office or a desk. Crafted in France, circa 1860 and beautifully executed, the patinated bovine...
Bronze
$18,000
H 24 in W 28 in D 6 in
Large Bronze Sculpture of a Jockey on Thoroughbred by Isidore Jules Bonheur
By Isidore Jules Bonheur
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional casting and finely patinated bronze sculpture of jockey on thoroughbred racehorse by Isidore Jules Bonheur (1827-1901), measuring 24 in tall, 26 in wide and 6 in deep....
Bronze
Art Deco Bronze Fish Sculpture - French Animalier Art
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautifully sculpted French bronze fish from the Art Deco period, executed in the refined animalier tradition. This striking sculpture is characterized by its elegant, flowing line...
Bronze
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 11 in D 5.5 in
French School Animalier Sculpture Bronze of a Roped Prize Pig
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French School Animalier Sculpture Bronze of a Roped Prize Pig 20th Century France, Signed 'Barex' This 20th-century French School Bronze An...
Marble, Bronze
$650
H 3.75 in W 8 in D 3 in
Antique French Animalier Bronze Marble Greyhound Sculpture Desk Paperweight 1900
By Emmanuel Fremiet
Located in Portland, OR
A very handsome antique French Animalier bronze greyhound sculpture, paperweight, circa 1900. The bronze in the style of Emmanuel Fremiet, mad...
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Iron Plant Sculpture Centerpiece, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
One of a kind handmade French antique iron plant sculpture of a potted plant. A small pot sprouts tall, languid iris stems and leaves. The entire piece...
Iron
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
Sold
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
Sold
H 3.5 in W 8.19 in D 4.69 in
French Bronze Sculpture of Resting Ram, ‘Bélier Couché’ by Rosa Bonheur & Peyrol
By Peyrol Foundry, Rosa Bonheur
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Rightly considered rare, this exquisite sculpture by Rosa Bonheur is very infrequently found outside of museum collections. We had the opportunity to carry this cast once before, an ...
Bronze
Sold
H 5.75 in W 8.44 in D 3.94 in
French Antique Bronze Sculpture "Mouton Broutant" by Rosa Bonheur circa 1870
By Rosa Bonheur
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Though she only produced a limited variety of sculpture models in her lifetime, Rosa Bonheur’s sheep are some of the most cherished. Sensitive and exacting, the manner in which she c...
Bronze