Rosa Bonheur - Weaning the Calves [1879]

Rosa Bonheur - Weaning the Calves [1879], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

The scene is probably located on one of the high pasturelands of the Pyrenees. Rosa Bonheur (French, Bordeaux, 1822 - Thomery, 1899) took a trip there in 1850 and brought back many studies that she used throughout her career.

[Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York - Oil on canvas, 65.1 x 81.3 cm]

Rosa Bonheur and Nathalie Micas - The Horse Fair [1855]

Rosa Bonheur and Nathalie Micas - The Horse Fair [1855], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

The scene is the horse market in Paris, and the dome of La Salpêtrière is visible in the background. Although finished and signed by Bonheur, this painting was begun by the artist's life-long friend, Nathalie Micas. The dealer Ernest Gambart acquired it in 1855, and it was engraved by Thomas Landseer.

Rosalie (Rosa) Bonheur (1822 - 1899) was born in Bordeaux, and moved to Paris in 1829. She was a famous animal painter. She exhibited the original version of The Horse Fair (now in the Metropolitan Museum, New York) at the Salon of 1853, where it won great acclaim. 

[Oil on canvas, 120 x 254.6 cm]