Étude de renard

1848

First medal and a 3,000-franc state commission

Bonheur won a first medal for “Oxen and Bulls of the Cantal”, which brought her a 3,000-franc state commission — for “Ploughing in the Nivernais”.

1849

“Ploughing in the Nivernais” at the Salon

Painted for the government, the picture was shown at the Salon and won a First Medal — Bonheur's first major success (other sources give that honour to “The Horse Fair”).

March 1849

Death of her father, Raymond Bonheur

Her father died, and Rosa took his place as teacher at the free drawing school for girls. She often told her pupils: “Follow my advice, and I will make you Leonardos in skirts.”

1853

“The Horse Fair” at the Salon

Begun in 1851, the huge canvas (2.4 × 4.9 m) of the horse market on the boulevard de l'Hôpital sparked debate among critics and collectors at the Salon and brought Bonheur into the international art world; she herself refuted the Comte de Nieuwerkerke's hint that it was a state commission.

by 1855

Gambart buys “The Horse Fair” for 40,000 francs

Gambart took the painting to an exhibition of French art in England, where William Rossetti praised it and Queen Victoria had it brought to Buckingham Palace for a while; this dispelled doubts that Bonheur had painted it herself and paved the way for her success.

1859

Moves to the Château de By near Fontainebleau

Her success allowed Bonheur to settle at the Château de By, where she lived for the rest of her life; Jules Saulnier designed a large studio and an enclosure there for bulls, horses, mouflons, deer, boars and rams — her models.