, 1889-10-08
ROSA soNHeuR.
The Great Painter at Home-Aneedotes
which She Relates About Herself


For years Rosa Bonheur has lived
apart from the artistic world OF Paris,
and many people believe that her life
work was finished long ago and that
now In some quit cemetery the great
artist sleeps after her labors. But Rosa
Bonheur Is perfectly well, and for hours
each day she paints and sketches. Some
of her canvases go to England, some to
America and some are kept In France,
but she detests publicity and exhibits
her work no longer. In a word, the
great artist prefers quiet, and the mere
idea Of seeing her name in print worries
her.
Some time ago l had the pleasure OF
meeting her at By, and she told me
many interesting stories about herself
and her works. Rosa Bonheur believes
that Glowing in the Nivernais" and the
Horse Fair are her best, her greatest
works.
THE first, said she,' I fnished In 1874,
when only 90 years old, and today even
am proud of that picture. To my ia
Their / owe my talent; he was my only
professor, my only guide, and / now fol-
low the advice he gave me forty years
ago. We are a family OF artists, and all
my sisters and brothers have been paint
ers or sculptors. My youth was spent
with my brother Augusta, and in his
company my days were passed in the
Fields representing nature / was obliged
to dress as a mani; do moi think my male
garb is b result of eccentricity or orig
inality. On the contrary, only in mans
dress could / cross mountains and val
leys, study in slaughter houses and sta
bles, and talk with people whose Ian
guage was not Of the most refined ma
ture. l began TO exhibit in the Salon at
a very early age. At 10 I had two pic
lures Of rabbits and goats, and until the
war Of 1870 l sent pictures every year"
Mile. Bonheur told me a most interest
ing story Of her protection when tho
Prussians occupied Fontainebleau. 81
was too busy to leave my home, because
was painting The Stag In the Forest
and my model lived in a corner of this
park. The kronprinz gave orders for my
protection, and after the truce he came
with his staff and asked that l receive
him. Ny servant replied: France is too
unfortunate; Mile. Bonheur cannot re-
ceive German officers The prince ex-
cused me, but said he would like to SEQ
the pictures. My servant was instructed
to say: Mile. Bonheur's pictures have not
yet been seen by her own c~ountrymen.'
AT last. finding that the prince would see
something, the servant led him to the
park and showed him my animals, anon
them the beautiful stag, that he praised
and caressed."
MS uorx an~fA.,a q - l.-.- a. .--.I-
OF the story that Courbet placed himself
at the head of those who destroyed tho
Column Vendome because ofhis jealousy
in regard to Rosa Bonheur.
"Courbet hated not only tho empire
but the empress, and he mover forfave
the empress her love for my pictures.
Her admiration for my work was undis-
guised, and by a comparison made with
Courbet's pioturss-a comparison not at
all fiattsrfng to him-she gained his
hatred.
II know that some have gone 30 far as
to say that for this Courbet determined
to destroy the Column Vendome, but /
think this is exaggerated"
1t Is sal at BY that Rosa Bonheur lives
surrounded1by ferocious beasts, and it is
true she has three bears, two lions whelps
and a wild horse of the prairies," tho
latter the gift Of Mark Durham, the well
known importer OF Percheron horses.
The lions win DO taken to the Jardin des
Plantes, but the bears may remain at
By, as they are the gift of the Grand
Duke Nicholas Michaelowitoh. At a
dinner party artist and prince ate a phil
opena." Nicholas lost, and asked Rosa
Bonhsur what punishment she would in
fiict upon him. "Give mo a pretty little
animal trained to pose as a model" was
tho reply. The Russian did not forget,
but instead of "a pretty little animal"
sent three enormous white bears, trained
to appreciate art and willing to be dis
ciples OF n great artist.
Every winter Rosa Bonheur spends a
few weeks at Nice, where she owns a
villa. She is very found of Nice, because
Ernest Gambard, Spanish consul In the
city, has a picture gallery containing at
least a dozen Of her best works, and abe
has great pleasure in going to see them.
Paris Letter.