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Rosa Bonheur, 'The Horse Fair', 1855

About the work

Overview

This is a painting of sheer animal power. Brilliant white light builds up the turbulence and excitement of the scene. Rosa Bonheur has made the convulsion of the muscles and the flying manes almost tangible, capturing the rearing, plunging animals and the strength and dexterity of their handlers with almost photographic reality. The magnificent white horses in the picture are Percherons, bred for hauling weights. Bonheur has captured their spirit and their world, with its noises, smells and sense of danger, and made them into high art.

The original version of The Horse Fair was four times the size of the National Gallery picture, painted when the work of women artists was largely disregarded by critics. It caused a sensation at the 1853 Paris Salon, toured Britain and the US and brought Bonheur international fame. This smaller autograph version was painted to facilitate the making of prints for sale during the tour.

Key facts

Details

Full title
The Horse Fair
Artist
Rosa Bonheur
Artist dates
1822 - 1899
Date made
1855
Medium and support
oil on canvas
Dimensions
120 × 254.6 cm
Inscription summary
Signed
Acquisition credit
Bequeathed by Jacob Bell, 1859
Inventory number
NG621
Location
Room 13 Stairs
Collection
Main Collection
Previous owners
Frame
19th-century French Frame (original frame)

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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