The Horse Fair

marzo 1849 – 1860

Employed by: École nationale gratuite de dessin pour les jeunes filles

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 1854

Friendship with the dealer Ernest Gambart

It is not known when they met, but by 1854 the art dealer Ernest Gambart was Bonheur's close friend, sponsor and promoter, going to great lengths to bring her work to wider audiences.

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.

1856

Travels to England and Scotland with Nathalie Micas

Bonheur met Queen Victoria, John Ruskin and leading British artists (other sources date the trip to 1855); in Scotland she made studies for “The Highland Shepherd” and “The Highland Raid”.

1856–1867

Absent from the Salon: everything sold in advance

All her works were sold in advance, so Bonheur did not exhibit at the Salon. Théophile Gautier wrote that with her “there is no need to be gallant”: she took art seriously and could be judged on a par with men.