Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-10-06
lk7y- For City News see third page.
For Market Reports and Marine News see fourth
A MORNING WITH ROSA BONHEUR.

IN 4 rance England, anu Anerlca, Oefuanys
and the smaller kingdoms of Europe, the naino
Of Rosa Bonheur is a household word.
AT twelve o'clock on tho eleventh Of March,
we we're set down at No. 80, Rue j. Assais, end
passed through a gate down to the farther end
Of garden, where we entercdthe vestibule OF
cottage house, the present residence Of Rosa
Bonheur. We sent up our card, and in a few
moments we were seated in her atelier--a large,
square, oakcn furnished room on the seconl
ctage-.alkiug with the little painter with as
much familiarity as If we had known her all
our life-time In a clear rather thin voice,
Rosa ran on about art and life for half an hour,
only leaving US room 10 slip IN The points Of
conversation edgewise. a4 y
you have accomplished much Mademoi
selle," we said, q -ncing at a largo picture on
the easel, called, "Les MouiORs," (lhe SheeP.)
yes" she replied 81 have been faithful
student since was ten years old. have cops
led no master have studied nature, and ex-
pressed TO the best Of my ability the ideas and
feelings with which she has inspired me Art
is an absorbent--a tyraut. Il demands heat,
brain, soul, body, the entireness OF lis vutary.
Nothing less will win its highest ia YOUR. L
we'd art. IL is my husband, my world-lny life
| iream-the air | BREATHE know nothing
else Ny soul finds in it the most complete
satisfaction"
''You have not married." we said.
"IIave not said that married Art What
could do " ith any other husbandl ] am not
| iit to be wife in the common acceptation of
that term. Men must marry women " no have
no absorbent, no idol. But the subject is pain
full give me some other topic"
"You don't love society - we said.
ayes do," she replied with an air Of impa-
tience; "but l select that which pleascs me
most. Hove the society of nature, the company
OF horses, bulls, cows, sheep, dogs-al ami
mails often have large receptions where they
are the only guests. | also like the society Of
books and the thoughts of great minds like
George Sand She Is great genius. The
world has wronged her-sOeiety outrage her
Go TO see her. You will like her have no
taste for general society-no interest in its friv-
olites. only seek to be known through my
works. Ii the world feel and understand them,
| 1 have succeeded"
"aave you given the Women's Rights ques
ton any attention." we asked
"Women's rghts!--wOmcns nonsense!'s she
answered. "Women should seek to establish
their rights by good aud great works, and not
| by conventions If | had got up convention
to debate the questions of my ability TO paint
'March an ChepduS," Crhe Horse FairO for
which England would have paid me forty thou.
sand francs, the decision would have been
against me. ! felt the power within mo to
paint | cultivated, it and have produced
works that have won the favorable verdict OF
the great judges. ! have no patience with
women who ask permission to thmk!"
| At this moment two OF three visitors en-.
tered, and while Rosa was occupied with them
we busted ourselves by making notes Of things
in the ateiier.
On the wall to the left of the entrance was a
head of a buck with long, branching horne; one
of goat, another of bull; an imperfect skele.
ton OF a horse, and the skins of various animals.
| At the farther end Of the room stood Is large
oaken case filled with stuffed birds Of all sizes
aud description aud on the top of 1t, in per-
feet state Of preservation, were an eagle,
! SawlI, an owl and parrot On the wall, en-
face the door, were pair of landscapes repre-
senting a storm rushing between the rocks, and
the clouds breaking ON their tops. The third
and fourth walls were taken up with the busts
of horses cows sheep dogs, cats, wolves, de-
in bTOzen and plaster, modelled by Rosas own
hand. All about the waXed floor were spread
out the preserved skins of COWS, bulls. stags
with their great uplited horns, and bears golls,
sheep, dogs and wolves with their fierce eyes
glaring upon US
The Impression these wild pieces of carpet
ing made on us, on entering the ateiier, was
almost startling 1t seemed more like den
Of wild beasts than the dteiier of a lady.
After short fluaton with the parrot, which
spoke tolerahle French, we took our leave, prom.
ising to meet Rosa at the School of Design
for Women on the next Friday, where she Coca
once per week to give lesson. This school
was founded by kosa's father AT his death
she became its sole mistress, but enlrusls il
mostly to the care OF her sister and BROTHER
There are about fifty regular pupis who receive
instruction gratis
Rosa Bonheur has many proofs Of the reward
of industry. If she wished TO make a small
fortune in few days, it would be easy for her
to do it in England by opening there an exh
bition Of her pictures and sketches Maiehe
aur Chepqu1," Uhe Horse Fair,J " hich was ex-
hibited at Williams d Stevens year or two
ago, and which was so well received by the New
York press, was bought by Mr.. Gambler, an
Engish editor for forty Thousand francs When
Rosa visited England she was recciyed like
princess.
America also paid the last year ten thousand
dOllsrs for "View in the Pyrenees'-ono Of
her least known pictures. H.
A rich Ho!ander visiting her atslier recently,
offered her thousand crowns for a small sketch
that she could paint in two hours. Ii Is i'm
possible TO comply with your request, ," aid she,
g / am not inspired"
Mademosello Bonheur is below the medium
height Of woman; I. apnesvoucC about thirty.
five years; Petlte, with quick, piercing blue eyes,
and brown hair, worn short and parted on the
side like boys Her dress was brown al.
paca skirt sans erinoline, with blouse Jacket
Of black cloth. She looked very boyish.
Mademoiselle also has an aieiitr ia the coun
try, where sho spends much time. When ia
the city she wears the costume of her sex; but
never ventures outside the barrier except in her
masculine gear.
There are many anecdotes in circulation
about the little painter One day when she |
returned from the country, she found messen-
ger awaiting TO announce to her the sudden il |
ness of one Of her young friends. Rosa did
not wait to change her male attire, but hasten
ed 10 the bedside Of the young lady. In lew
minutes after, the doctor, who had been sent |
for, entered, and seeing young man (as he |
supposed from the costume, seated on the side |
Of the bed, with his arm around the neck Of |
the sick girl, thought be was an int uder, and |
retTeated with all possible speed. "Oh run
after him He thinks you are my lover, and
has gone aud left ms 10 die " cried The sick aitl
Rosa flew down stairs, and soon returned wilh
the modest doctor, who said he did not wish 10
intrudo, rhaa1aT Nnr
On another occasion, Mademoiselle had tick.
ets sent her for the theatre, She had an I'M
Horant picture in hand, and continued at Che
easel tin the carriage was annonneed. " Yes,o
5 I'D Rosa, "je suis prste;" and away ste went