Palette, 1850s
Rosa Bonheurexpand_more
Oil on wood paletteexpand_more
Gift of The Thomas Barlow Walker Foundationexpand_more 92.74
On View in Gallery 354expand_more
The French painter Rosa Bonheur specialized in pictures of animals, which were celebrated for their vivacity and realism. She achieved international fame and became the first woman admitted to the French Legion of Honor in 1865. She was also openly gay, making her path to success in a male-dominated profession that much more groundbreaking.
This was reportedly her personal painting palette for decades. When she completed a celebrated picture in 1855, her godson asked if he could have it. She quickly painted a deer in the forest on the palette's surface for him.
Details
- Title
- Palette
- Artist Life
- 1822–1899
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 92.74
- Provenance
- The artist; '[possibly] her godson, Georges Cain. Thomas Barlow Walker, Minneapolis (by 1913–d. 1928); [1] Thomas Barlow Walker Foundation, San Francisco (until 1992; given to Mia). [1] Listed in 1913 catalogue of Walker's collection. The work became part of the original inventory of the T. B. Walker Foundation.
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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