The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-23
VOL. XI.-NO. %.
A Morning with Rosa Bonheur.

Morning with Rosa BOnheur.
PARIS, August 10, 1959.-By birth Ro-
sa Bonheur belongs to France--by the
rights of genius, to the world.
She is the most distinguished female pain
ter living or dead. No other has won so
wide fame-no other built a reputation on
so broad and firm basis. Wherever Art
is known and talked of, Rosa Bonheur is
known and talked of. In France, England,
America, Germany and the smaller King
doms of Europe, the name of Rosa Bonheur
is a household word.
At II o'clock on the eleventh of March
we were set down at No. 32 Rue d'Assas,
and passed through gate and down to the
farther end of garden, where we entered
the vestibule of small cottage house, the
present residence of Rosa Bonheur. We
sent up our card and in few minutes were
seated in her atelier--a large square, Oaken
furnished room on the second etage-talking
with the little painter, with as much famili-
arity as if we had known her all our life
time. In a clear rather thin voice, Rosa
ran on about art and art-life for half an
hour, only leaving us room to slip in the
points of conversation edgewise.
"YOu have accomplished much, madam
oiselle," we said, glancing at large picture
on the easel, called "Les Mohons," CThe
Sheep.)
"Yes," she replied, 81 have been faithful
student sine l was ten years old. I have
copied no master. l have studied nature,
and expressed to the best of my ability the
ideas and feelings with which she has in
spired me. Art, brain, soul, body, the en-
tireness of its votary. Nothing less will
win its highest favor. wed art. 1t is my
husband-my world-my life-dyeam-the
air breathe. l know nothing else-feel
nothing else-think nothing else. My soul
finds In it the most complete satisfaction
''YOu have not married." we said.
"Have [ not said that L married art
What could do with any other husband
am not fit to be wife in the common ac-
ceptation of that term. Men must marry
women who have no absorbent, no idol.
But the subject is painful give me some
other topic.'
You don't love society?" we said.
Eyes, i do," she replied, with an air of
impatience; :but select that which pleases
me most. l love the society of nature; the
company of horses, bulls, COWS, sheep, dogs
all animals. often have large receptions
where they are the only guests also like
society OF books and the thought of great
minds. l like George Sand. She is a
great genius. The world has wronged her
society outraged her. Go to see her.
You will like her. l have not taste for
general society--nO interest in it's frivoities.
l only seek to be known through my works.
If the world feel and understand them, l
have succeeded"
"Have you given the Womens Rights
question any attention ?" we asked.
WOmen's rights .-women's nonsense "
she answered. "Women should seek to
establish their rights by good works, and
not by conventions. If l had got up con-
vention to debate the question of my ability
to paint Marche ou Chevaur," (The Horse
Fair,) for which England would pay me
forty thousand francs, the decision would
have be given against me. l felt the power
within me to paint. l cultivated it, and
have produced works that have won the ia
vorab!e 'verdicts of the great judges. l
have no patience with women who ask per-
mission to Think"
AT this moment two or three visitors en-
tered, and while Rosa was occupied with
them, we busted ourselves by making notes
Of things in the atelier.
On the wall to the left of the entrance
was head of buck, with long, branching
horns ; one of goat, and another of a
bull an imperfect skeleton of horse, and
the skins of various animals. At the further
end of the room stood large oaken case,
filled with stuffed birds of all sizes and
descriptions, and on the top Of it, in per-
feet state of preservation, were an eagle, a
hawk, an owl, and parrot. On the wal,
facing the door, were a pair of landscapes,
representing storm rushing between the
rocks, and clouds breaking on their tops.
The tLi'd and fourth walls were taken up
with the busts of horses, COWS, sheep, dogs,
wolves, cats, &C., in bronze and plaster,
modelled by Rosa's own hand. All about
the waxed floors were spread out the pre-
served skins of COWS, bulls, stays with their
great uplifted horns, and bears, goats, sheep,
dogs, and wolves with their fierce eyes glar-
ing upon US.
The impression these wild pieces of car
peting made on us, on entering the atel'er,
was almost startling. 1t seemed more like
den of wild beasts that the atelter of a
lady.
After short Irritation with the parrot,
which spoke tolerable French, we took our
leave, promising to meet Rosa at the School
of Design for Women on the next Friday,
where she goes once week to give lesson.
This school was founded by Rosa's father.
At his death she became its sole mistress,
but now entrusts it mostly to the care of her
sister and brother. There are about fifty
rugular pupils, who receive instruction
gratis.
Rosa Benheur has many proofs of the
reward of industry. If she wished to make