Out of the works listed for this course, I finally settled on researching Rosa Bonheur’s The Horse Fair (1852-1855). I have always been drawn to arts composed during the period of Realism since they do not only give the real impression of the beginning of modern art but also flourishes in literature. The other aspect that captured my attention towards Bonheur’s work was the title of the art. I enjoy animal paintings so much that I could not give a second thought about viewing the ‘horse’ in this art and how the artist portrayed it. Besides, when I first viewed the painting, I was intrigued by the fact that it was an oil painting. Therefore, I will be researching on this painting not just as a course requirement but also as my hobby.
Analysis of the Work
Created between 1853 and 1855, The Horse Fair is one of the most famous oil paintings done by Rosa Bonheur during her early life (Klumpke, 2001). Most of the works created by this artist captured her viewers’ attention since they majorly focused on animals. Born in 1822 in Bordeaux, Gironde, Bonheur was the eldest among her three siblings. The artist’s mother died when she was 11 and was later raised by her father, Raymond Bonheur, who played a critical role in her paintings (Klumpke, 2001). Bonheur, who attributed her love for painting animals during her early stage of life, happily took wild boars, bulls, cows, rabbits, foxes, sheep, deer, dogs, and horses as her subjects. Even so, she occasionally did portraits of people. Despite technically proficient, the works of this artist lacks invention and are traditional in color (Klumpke, 2001). Based on The Horse Fair, it is justifiable to claim that Bonheur did not only research her subjects scientifically but was also a diligent observer. The images of horses in the art confirm that the artist did not try to give her paintings human personalities and got the anatomy right. Being one of the arts created during the period of Realism, this painting replaced many idealistic images with real-life pictures, giving viewers a better view of the societal margins compared to what they would have in the other grandiose paintings.
The painting depicts the horse market held in Paris, near the Salpetrire asylum, which can be seen towards the left hand side of the background. Besides, the art shows how the horses run round in a cycle with a lot of energy. The movement communicates the value of the horses to the potential customers. The artist conveys to the viewers the majesty and power while the handlers keep the horses under control. Bonheur uses different colors in this painting to attract the attention of her viewers. Many people would direct their focus on the white, black, and brown horses. Besides, the wall, the plain surroundings, and the small patches of the sky make the art conspicuous enough for the viewers. Moreover, the red stripes, red ribbons, and the red bridles on the horses’ saddle clothes signify the power and value of the horses, making the modern audience appreciate the work.
Relevance of the Work to the Audience Today
Whereas the visual perception of the paint would only depict the attractiveness of the art, a deeper knowledge would make the viewers appreciate the role animals play not just in art but in the society today. The paint also demonstrates the significance of realism in the post-modern painting.
Reference
Klumpke, A. (2001). Rosa Bonheur: the artist's (auto) biography. University of Michigan Press.
