The fearless sexuality of Rosa Bonheur: Google Doodle honors iconic French painter
Google on Wednesday, March 16, marked the 200th birthday of French painter Rosa Bonheur with a fascinating doodle. Rosa Bonheur was best known as a painter of animals but she also made a name for herself as a sculptor, in a realist style. One of the best works of Rosa came in the form of her paintings namely ‘Ploughing in the Nivernais’, ‘The Horse Fair’, and ‘Haymaking in the Auvergne’.
Google in its doodle showed an animated image of Rosa Bonheur where she can be seen painting a flock of sheep on canvas. Rosa Bonheur was born in 1822 in Bordeaux, France and she got on to painting- all thanks to her father - a minor landscape painter. Rosa was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French Empress Eugenie for her 1853 painting‘The Horse Fair’. Interestingly, one of Rosa Bonheur's works, ‘Monarchs of the Forest’, was sold at an auction in 2008 for over $200K. Apart from her paintings, Rosa was known for her fearless sexuality. She was openly lesbian.
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The fearless sexuality of Rosa Bonheur
Rosa Bonheur was one of the most forward-thinking artistes of her time. In addition to being a lesbian, she opted for men’s clothing- a controversial decision in the 19th century. The cross-dressing required formal permission which Rosa eventually got in 1857 but it was only meant within the city limits. According to the website Your Dictionary, the renowned painter cut her hair short and dressed in men’s clothing- which soon became her regular style. She apparently also developed a habit of smoking cigars. Rosa Bonheur never got married but was in a long-term relationship with Nathalie Micas.
If the reports published are to be believed, Rosa always maintained that her behavior was itself a form of performance art and she also believed that impersonating a man was the only way for a woman to secure social and professional equality. Rosa’s being outspoken about her personal life was groundbreaking given the time period.
Who was Rosa Bonheur’s partner?
Rosa Bonheur was in a relationship with Nathalie Micas for more than 40 years. Micas was her childhood friend who died in 1889. She first met Micas in 1836. Nathalie Micas was represented in the Hall of Science at the World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago by a railway brake she had patented. Micas also took care of Rosa’s business matters. According to the website Elisa Rolle, Princess Stirby, while referring to Micas one stated, "Rosa Bonheur could never have remained the celebrated artist she was without someone beside her." After Micas death, it is reported that Rosa in the last year of her life got inclined towards American painter Anna Klumpke. Rosa, Micas and Klumpke are all buried at Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris.