An unconventional woman: Rosa Bonheur #art #history #womenartists #painting

“As far as males go, I only like the bulls I paint.” -Rosa Bonheur.
More about this interesting artist👇
Fun fact! During Bonheur’s life, wearing pants in France was illegal without a special “crossdressing permit”. Bonheur had to apply for one to wear pants- which she did, on the grounds that they were necessary to work closer with the animals she painted.
Rosa Bonheur was a French artist trained by her father. Despite her unconventional personal life, she was quite traditional in her art style. Her artwork almost exclusively depicted animals, often bulls and horses, and it was widely praised for its realism. “The Horse Fair,” is generally considered to be her masterpiece, and Queen Victoria was so fond of it she asked for a private showing of the painting in Buckingham Palace.
Many consider Bonheur to be a lesbian icon. She wore her hair short, dressed in men’s clothes, and lived with women- first Natalie Micas, whom she cohabitated with for 40 years, and second with Anna Klumpke. Still, some dispute her sexuality, stating that there was no evidence her relationship with these women were intimate in nature.
Thanks for learning about this fascinating woman with me! ❤️

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