The Horse Fair

Rosa Bonheur, in between 1852-55, created this huge painting (244.5 x 506.7 cm) called the Horse Fair. This painting was first exhibited in 1853’s salon and was called a massive sensation. The picture felt alive and real, immersing the viewers into the picture of the horse market. It is said that Rosa had to dress like a man to go sketch the scene, and that she found men's clothing more comfortable as well. In 1855, she made some retouchs to the canvas and sold it to a British art dealer who exhibited it throughout England. This painting got her international acclaim especially in the United States of America. It was so popular that supposedly even Queen Victoria requested that it be brought to Buckingham Palace for a private viewing. Before finalizing though, multiple studies were made of this painting, in sketch and in colour. The most mesmerizing thing about this painting is the close study of anatomy and Bonheur’s mastery of showing that using paints like watercolors, oil, and more. She doesn’t show the pretty, tamed and saddled horses, but as they truly are: wild, brazen, brutish and majestic. This simply shows the genius she is. At 18, she exhibited the Goats and Sheep in the Salon. Within 5 years, she had 14 paintings in the Salon. Cornelius Vanderbilt purchased this for $53,000 later and sent it to America where it is now presented at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.