Another really brilliant article, Nicole. I love how you make this connection with Bonheur and Degas. But your mention of Delacroix's work and her romanticism edge is a brilliant branch of this too. I was lucky enough to see a portrait of a lion by her in a recent show, and the Delacroix influence in that is even more overt.
Also, I'm sure you know this anyway, but one other thing I absolutely love about the horse fair is that she disguises a self portrait in it too as apparently the organisers of the horse fair once refused her access to paint there in person due it being a male only space.
So in essence, it was her way of giving a bit of push back to the authorities of her time. And again, that strikes me as the kind of thing only a real romantic hero would do!
Great post! I read in Wikipedia, to which I resorted after getting a taste of Bonheur from your post, that she sought and received governmental permission to wear men's clothing!?! I'm glad I don't need anyone's permission when I consult my closet in the morning.
An interesting pairing, Nicole! Love Bonheur's Horse Fair but can only repeat the comment we made about Degas's equine paintings in contrast to his dancers "the opposite of four legs good, two legs bad, applies in this case"!
Another really brilliant article, Nicole. I love how you make this connection with Bonheur and Degas. But your mention of Delacroix's work and her romanticism edge is a brilliant branch of this too. I was lucky enough to see a portrait of a lion by her in a recent show, and the Delacroix influence in that is even more overt.
Also, I'm sure you know this anyway, but one other thing I absolutely love about the horse fair is that she disguises a self portrait in it too as apparently the organisers of the horse fair once refused her access to paint there in person due it being a male only space.
So in essence, it was her way of giving a bit of push back to the authorities of her time. And again, that strikes me as the kind of thing only a real romantic hero would do!
I love that! You're right - that is something a romantic hero would do! Thank you so much for this kind comment, George.
Great post! I read in Wikipedia, to which I resorted after getting a taste of Bonheur from your post, that she sought and received governmental permission to wear men's clothing!?! I'm glad I don't need anyone's permission when I consult my closet in the morning.
I didn't realize that she received government permission! I thought she was wearing men's clothing in secret - thank you for sharing that!
Well, Wikipedia cites to this article. Apparently she asked for permission in connection with her painting work at animal markets! But there's more interesting stuff in the article: https://www.connexionfrance.com/magazine/women-wearing-trousers-was-illegal-in-france-until-2013/424669
An interesting pairing, Nicole! Love Bonheur's Horse Fair but can only repeat the comment we made about Degas's equine paintings in contrast to his dancers "the opposite of four legs good, two legs bad, applies in this case"!
Hahahaha thank you for reading! 😊
I enjoyed learning the story of Rosa Bonheur! Thank you!
Thank you for reading!