1822 -1899 · animal painting, anatomical observation and Fontainebleau forest

Rosa Bonheur paints deer as individuals observed in their own attitudes: vigilance, rest, family ties and adaptation to the undergrowth replace the generic animal or the simple trophy.

Rosa Bonheur was born in Bordeaux in 1822 into a family of artists and received rigorous drawing training from her father, Raymond Bonheur. Very early on, she chose animals as her main subject. She frequented horse markets, fairs, farms, slaughterhouses and menageries in order to directly study anatomy, movement and behavior. This method nourished Le Labourage Nivernais and Le Marché aux Cheval, works which brought her international fame. In 1853, her success allowed her to no longer submit her paintings to the Salon jury. In 1853, her success allowed her to no longer submit her paintings to the Salon jury. In 1853, her success allowed her to no longer submit her paintings to the Salon jury. In 1853, her success allowed her to no longer submit her paintings to the Salon jury. In 1853, her success allowed her to no longer submit her paintings to the Salon jury. In 1853, her success allowed her to no longer submit her paintings to the Salon jury. In 1853, her success allowed her to no longer submit her paintings to the Salon jury. In 1853, her success allowed her soon a menagerie where horses, cattle, sheep, dogs, wild animals and deer live. Bonheur can thus observe at length the bearing of the head, the growth of the woods, the texture of the coats and the relationships between adults and young people. Its deer, does and roe deer are not landscape accessories. A turned ear, a stretched neck or a resting group is enough to express vigilance, confidence or protection. The forest of Fontainebleau offers a precise environment: rocks, ferns, oaks and clearings filter the light and explain the posture of the animals. The forest of Fontainebleau offers a precise environment: rocks, ferns, outstretched necks or a resting group are enough to express vigilance, confidence or protection. A turned ear, a stretched neck or a resting group is enough to express vigilance, confidence or protection. A turned ear, a stretched neck or a resting group is enough to express vigilance, confidence or protection. The forest of Fontainebleau offers a precise environment: rocks, ferns, oaks and clearings filter the light and explain the posture of the animals. The artist works through drawings, painted studies and more elaborate compositions, maintaining great accuracy without freezing his models. Her exceptional career ensured her economic independence and public recognition; in 1865, she became the first female artist named knight of the Legion of Honor, then officer in 1894. She died in By in 1899. A faithful reproduction must preserve the anatomy, the variety of browns, the transitions of the coat, the muffled greens of the undergrowth and above all the direction of the eyes which organizes the life of the group. The selection "Deer, deer and roe deer of Rosa Bonheur" notably compares Biches and deer at rest - Rosa Bonheur and Deer in the forest of Fontainebleau - Rosa Bonheur. His reading favors light.

Rosa Bonheur does not place a deer in a setting: she observes how the animal really inhabits the forest, listens, protects the young and adjusts each gesture in the middle.