Rosa Bonheur: The Wild Woman Who Painted Bulls Better Than Any Man
“As far as males go, I only like the bulls I paint.” — Rosa Bonheur
Rosa Bonheur was a trailblazer in every sense of the word, shattering the expectations of her time with a spirit that could only be described as a force of nature. As one of the most celebrated animal painters of the 19th century, her artistry breathed life into her subjects, capturing the raw power and grace of animals in a way that resonated deeply with viewers.
In a world that often dictated how women should act, Bonheur defiantly wore trousers, an audacious choice at a time when such attire was illegal for women, and embraced a lifestyle that was both bold and unrepentant. She was not afraid to light up a cigar, showcasing her independence and flouting societal conventions.
Her personal life was just as vivid as her paintings; she lived openly with her female partners, challenging the norms of her era and demonstrating that love and artistic passion could flourish outside the bounds of tradition. Bonheur’s work and life were intertwined expressions of her uncompromising spirit, leaving an indelible mark on the art world and paving the way for future generations of artists.
Rosa Bonheur wasn’t here to play the delicate, obedient lady.
Born in 1822 in Bordeaux, France, Rosa was raised in a progressive household that encouraged her to pursue her artistic interests. She wasn’t interested in portraits or still lifes. No, Rosa Bonheur was obsessed with animals—majestic, muscular, muddy, magnificent beasts.
1. How to Paint a Bull (Step One: Study at the Slaughterhouse)
Rosa’s realism was earned, not imagined. She didn’t paint animals from photos or imagination. She went into the fields, into the mud, and yes, into the slaughterhouses.
In her own words:
“To understand a horse, you must be as stubborn as one.”
Rose dissected animals, sketched live ones in motion, and spent hours watching the way their muscles moved. She dressed as a man so she could move freely in public spaces—this required special permission from the police in 1850s France. Her wardrobe wasn’t fashion-forward; it was function-first.
2. The Painting That Rocked the Salon
In 1853, Rosa unveiled her masterpiece:
“The Horse Fair” — a 16-foot-long, thundering stampede of horses being shown at the Paris horse market.
The scale. The power. The movement. People were stunned.
The critics adored it. So did Queen Victoria, who invited Rosa to England for a private viewing. Even New York City couldn’t get enough: the painting was purchased by Cornelius Vanderbilt and now hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
“She paints like a man!” critics exclaimed.
To which Rosa replied: “I am a painter. That is all.”
3. Living on Her Own Terms
Rosa never married. She had long-term relationships with two women: Nathalie Micas and later, American painter Anna Klumpke. She lived in a château with a menagerie of animals—including lions. Yes, actual lions.
She was not just eccentric—she was entirely original.
Bonheur was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1865—the first woman to receive it for her artistic work. The Empress Eugénie presented it herself, calling her “the most extraordinary woman in France.”
4. Why History Forgot Her (But We Won’t)
Despite her fame in the 19th century, Rosa Bonheur’s name faded as art moved toward Impressionism and Modernism. Animal painting wasn’t “cutting-edge” anymore, and she didn’t fit the narrative art historians preferred.
But today? She’s finally being reclaimed as the icon she always was:
- A pioneer of realism
- A trailblazer for LGBTQ+ visibility in the arts
- A feminist before feminism had a name
- A reminder that wildness has a place on the canvas
5. Rosa’s Work Today
You can see Rosa Bonheur’s powerful paintings in collections like:
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (USA)
- Musée d’Orsay (France)
- National Gallery, London
- Rosa Bonheur Museum at her former château in Thomery, France
Her legacy is not just in paint, but in passion, rebellion, and realism with a roar.
Final Thoughts
Rosa Bonheur didn’t just paint animals; she embodied them. Bold, stubborn, wild, and free. She left hoof prints across the art world, and we’re finally tracing them back.
If she were around today, she’d still be out there, probably painting elephants on the savannah in cargo pants and aviators. She’d wield her paintbrush like a wand, splashing color across a canvas of elephants roaming freely.
Each stroke would capture the essence of their majesty, a celebration of wildlife in all its glory. You’d find her surrounded by a symphony of sounds, the distant trumpeting of her painted subjects, the whisper of the wind through the tall grass, and the laughter of children gathered to watch the spectacle unfold.
A true free spirit, she’d likely be leading conservation workshops, teaching others to see beauty in the wild and inspiring them to protect it, all while radiating an infectious sense of adventure and joy.
“I care nothing for conventions. I follow my own path.”
— Rosa Bonheur
